Sie sind auf Seite 1von 4

Florida:

Public Opinion
on Climate Change

T
he issue of climate change is increasingly being discussed in the media and within
political circles. Around the globe actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are being
taken at all levels of government. Florida is consistently identified as one of the regions
most vulnerable to climate change due to its extensive urban development in low lying
areas, the economic importance of tourism and agriculture, unique ecosystems and reliance on
groundwater for human consumption. Only relatively recently have legislators
proposed changes aimed at both reducing the production of greenhouse
gases in Florida and promoting proactive measures to reduce vulnerability
to what experts believe will be the inevitable impacts. The goal of this
study is to measure the perceptions of Florida residents about the causes
and consequences of climate change, and about potential solutions. The
main findings are presented here and are intended to aid policymakers,
educators, the private sector and environmental organizations in their
planning efforts in response to climate change.
Executive Summary FIGURE 1: PERSONALLY CONVINCED
“How convinced are you that global
FIGURE 4: SERIOUSNESS AND
GEOGRAPHY OF IMPACTS
warming is happening?” How serious of a threat is global
50 warming to…?” SOMEWHAT SERIOUS
A representative sample of over 1,000 Floridians was VERY SERIOUS
80
surveyed in May 2008. A large majority of the respondents 40
42 77
70
is convinced that global warming is happening (71%). Of 30 60
72 72 70
64 64
those, 55% believe that global warming is caused mainly 29 50
36
by human activities, while 32% believe it is caused mostly 20
40
18 41 40
by natural changes in the environment, and 13% believe 10 30
32
45 42
11 28 43 44
it is caused equally by humans and natural changes. 20 27
21 20
0 10
COMPLETELY MOSTLY NOT SO NOT AT ALL
CONVINCED CONVINCED CONVINCED CONVINCED 0
Only 43% of Floridians say they personally worry either a great PLANTS PEOPLE PEOPLE PEOPLE YOU YOUR
deal (10%) or a fair amount (33%) about global warming, while AND IN
ANIMALS OTHER
IN US IN AND LOCAL
FLORIDA YOUR COMMUNITY
57% say they worry only a little (35%) or not at all (22%). Likewise, FIGURE 2: CAUSE OF GLOBAL WARMING COUNTRIES FAMILY

most Floridians believe that global warming is a greater threat to “If global warming is happening, do you
think it is due more to normal cycles in
non-human species, people, and places relatively far away, than the Earth’s environment, more to human FIGURE 5: TIMING OF IMPACTS
activity such as burning fossil fuels, or by
to themselves or other people in the state. both equally?”
“When do you think global warming
will start to have dangerous impacts
60 on people in Florida?”
That is not to say, however, that Floridians believe the state 50 55
30
30
will escape unscathed. In fact, 30% believe global warming is 40
25
already having dangerous impacts on people in Florida now, 20
30
while another 35% believe these dangerous impacts will occur 32
15
19
20 16
within either the next 10 years (19%), or the next 25 years (16%). 13 14
10
More specifically, a large majority of the public in Florida believes 10 13
5 8
that during the next 50 years, global warming will cause worse 0
HUMAN NORMAL BOTH
storms, hurricanes, and tornadoes (80%), droughts and water ACTIVITIES CYCLES 0
NOW 10 YRS 25 YRS 50 YRS 100 YRS NEVER
shortages (80%), fewer fish (69%), infiltration of groundwater
supplies by salt water (68%), flooding of major cities (68%), food FIGURE 3: WORRY
shortages (68%), less tourism (64%), and increased rates of “How much do you worry about global FIGURE 6: IS GLOBAL WARMING
MAKING THINGS WORSE
disease (57%). Likewise, a majority (69%) believes it is somewhat warming?”
35
“Some people say that global warming
(36%) or very likely (33%) that parts of the Florida coast will need 35 is already impacting Florida. Do you
30 33 agree or disagree that global warming
to be abandoned due to rising sea levels over the next 50 years. 25
is already causing or making the
following things worse?”
Finally, majorities believe that global warming is already causing 20 22 SOMEWHAT AGREE
or making the following things worse: wildfires (66%), stronger 15 STRONGLY AGREE

hurricanes (66%), coastline erosion and flooding (63%), damage 10


80

10 70
to coral reefs (61%), and more frequent hurricanes (60%). 5 60 66 66 63 61
0 60
50
A GREAT A FAIR ONLY A NOT AT
In line with these concerns about the impacts of global warming DEAL AMOUNT LITTLE ALL 40
on the state, Floridians support more action by their elected 30 38
40
34 35 36
28 29
officials. Large majorities of respondents say that their state 20 26 26 24
legislators (66%), Governor Charlie Crist (62%), and their mayor Over half of 10
0
(56%) should be doing more to address global warming. Floridians WILDFIRES STRONGER COASTLINES DAMAGE MORE
HURRICANES ERODING/ TO CORAL FREQUENT
believe that FLOODING REEFS HURRICANES

Support for Climate Change Policies parts of the


Florida coast
A majority of Floridians supports four potential state-level may need to
policies, including: be abandoned
• “Requiring electric utilities to produce at least 20% of their
due to rising
electricity from wind, solar, or other renewable energy sea levels
sources, even if it cost the average household an extra over the next
$100 a year” (65%). 50 years.
• “A subsidy to encourage FIGURE 7: LIKELIHOOD OF IMPACTS ON FLORIDA “In Florida, how likely do you think it is that each of the following will occur
building owners to replace old during the next 50 years due to global warming?” SOMEWHAT LIKELY
80
water heaters, air conditioners, 80 80 80
VERY LIKELY
70
light bulbs, and insulation. 60 69 68 68 68 69 70
64
This subsidy would cost the 50 34 33 57 60
61
average household $5 a month 40 46 47 36 35 34 36
50

37 40
43
in higher taxes. Those buildings 30 33 33 34
31 33 39
35 30
that took advantage of the 20 25
22
20 44
32
program would save money on 10 10 17
11
0 0
their utility bills” (65%). WORSE STORMS DROUGHTS FEWER GROUNDWATER FLOODING FOOD SEA LEVEL LESS INCREASED MORE COMFORTABLE FROST
HURRICANES AND WATER FISH - SALT WATER OF CITIES SHORTAGES RISE TOURISM RATES OF WINTER DAMAGE
TORNADOS SHORTAGES INFILTRATION DISEASE TEMPERATURES TO CROPS
• “Installation of solar panels on
state-owned buildings, even if
FIGURE 8: GLOBAL WARMING GOOD OR BAD
the electricity generated is significantly more expensive FIGURE 11: ENERGY EFFICIENCY SUBSIDY
“Overall, do you think that global warming FOR BUILDING OWNERS
than what state government normally pays for its will be very good, somewhat good, “A subsidy to encourage building owners to
electricity” (63%). somewhat bad, or very bad for Florida?” replace old water heaters, air conditioners,
50
light bulbs, and insulation. This subsidy
47 would cost the average household $5 a
40 month in higher taxes. Those buildings that
• “A $2.50 surcharge on the average household’s monthly 41
took advantage of the program would save
electric bill for a special fund to help make buildings more 30 money on their utility bills.”
energy efficient and teach Floridians how to reduce their 20
50

energy use” (51%). 40


10 41
3 8 30
Regarding potential federal policies, an even larger majority of 0
Floridians supports: 1) an international treaty that requires the VERY GOOD SOMEWHAT
GOOD
SOMEWHAT
BAD
VERY BAD 20 24
18
United States to cut its emissions of carbon dioxide by 90% 10
18

by the year 2050 (78%), and 2) transferring subsidies from the


FIGURE 9: ADDRESSING GLOBAL WARMING 0
fossil fuel industry to the renewable energy industry, even if this STRONGLY MODERATELY MODERATELY STRONGLY
“Do you think the following political leaders
makes fossil fuels more expensive and renewable energy less should be doing more or less to address
SUPPORT SUPPORT OPPOSE OPPOSE

expensive (76%). However, for the leading policy proposal in global warming?”
80 STATE LEGISLATORS
the U.S. Congress, only 43% of Floridians currently support a 70 GOVERNOR CRIST FIGURE 12: SOLAR PANELS ON STATE-
OWNED BUILDINGS
national system to cap and trade greenhouse gases. 60 66
62
YOUR MAYOR
“Installation of solar panels on state-owned
50 56 buildings, even if the electricity generated is
40 significantly more expensive than what state
Trust 30 34
government normally pays for its electricity.”
50
20 26 28
10
When asked, “How much do you trust the following groups 0
9 10 11
40
42
to tell you the truth about global warming,” large majorities of MORE LESS DOING THE 30
RIGHT AMOUNT
the public trust their own family and friends (83%), followed
20
by scientists (82%), and environmental organizations (72%). 21 22
By contrast, fewer trust religious organizations (49%), the FIGURE 10: REQUIRE UTILITIES TO PRODUCE 10 15
news media (44%), or corporations (19%). Among politicians, 20% OF ELECTRICITY FROM RENEWABLES
“Requiring electric utilities to produce at 0
only Governor Charlie Crist is trusted to tell the truth about least 20% of their electricity from wind,
STRONGLY MODERATELY MODERATELY STRONGLY
SUPPORT SUPPORT OPPOSE OPPOSE
global warming by a majority of Floridians (54%), compared to solar, or other renewable energy sources,
even if it cost the average household an
Senator Barack Obama (49%), Senator John McCain (44%), extra $100 a year.”
and President George W. Bush (32%). 40 FIGURE 13: SPECIAL FUND FOR ENERGY
35 EFFICIENCY IN BUILDINGS
37
30 “A $2.50 surcharge on the average
household’s monthly electric bill for a
Individual Behavior 25
20
28 special fund to help make buildings more
energy efficient and teach Floridians how to
15 18
reduce their energy use.”
17
Finally, some Floridians say they are willing to make individual 10
40
35
lifestyle changes to reduce their own greenhouse gas 5 37
30
emissions. A large majority say they are likely to buy more 0
STRONGLY MODERATELY MODERATELY STRONGLY 25
27
energy efficient appliances like refrigerators, stoves, washing SUPPORT SUPPORT OPPOSE OPPOSE
20 23
machines, and dishwashers (83%). Meanwhile, 41% say they 15
are likely to communicate their views on global warming to 10 14

politicians, while 39% say they are likely to join, donate money 5

or volunteer with an organization working on issues related to 0


STRONGLY MODERATELY MODERATELY STRONGLY
global warming. SUPPORT SUPPORT OPPOSE OPPOSE

With regard to the 2008 Presidential election, 3% of


Floridians said global warming would be the single Almost 60% of Floridians
most important issue in their vote for president believe there will be
and 60% said it would be one of several important issues, an increase in rates
while 37% said it would not be an important factor in of disease due to
their vote. global warming.
Conclusion POLICY PREFERENCES AT FEDERAL LEVEL
FIGURE 15: TRANSFER SUBSIDIES TO
RENEWABLE ENERGY INDUSTRY
“The federal government provides
Some people say that the federal approximately $5 billion a year in subsidies
Overall, a large majority of the public in Florida believes that government should act to reduce to the fossil fuel industry (coal, oil, natural
gas). Some people have proposed
global warming is happening and caused by human activities. global warming, while others say transferring these subsidies to the
Likewise, large majorities believe global warming is already or the federal government should have renewable energy industry (wind, solar,
biomass, etc.) to develop cleaner forms of
will soon have a variety of significant impacts on the state. Yet different priorities. energy. This would make fossil fuels more
only slightly less than half of the public are personally worried expensive and renewable energy less
expensive. How much do you support or
about climate change, likely because many believe it will oppose this proposal?”
primarily impact non-human species or people far away, not
themselves or their own families. Large majorities, however, do 50

think Governor Crist, their state legislators, and local mayors 40


43
should be doing more to address global warming and are 30 33
broadly supportive of state and federal initiatives to reduce
local energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. 20

Finally, many say they are willing to take individual action to 10 15


9
reduce their own greenhouse gas emissions. 0
STRONGLY MODERATELY MODERATELY STRONGLY
SUPPORT SUPPORT OPPOSE OPPOSE

Methodology
FIGURE 16: CAP AND TRADE MARKET
In May 2008, 1,077 adults in “A national market that allows companies
to buy and sell the right to emit the
Florida aged 18 and above greenhouse gasses that are said to cause
were interviewed as part of a global warming. The federal government
would set a national cap on emissions.
state-wide survey conducted “How much do you support or oppose Each company would then purchase the
by Anthony Leiserowitz (Yale each of the following policies?” right to emit a portion of this total amount.
If a company then emitted more than
University) and Kenneth FIGURE 14: INTERNATIONAL TREATY
its portion, it would have to buy more
emission rights from other companies or
Broad (University of Miami), “Agreeing to an international treaty that pay large fines. In principle, how much do
with support from the U.S. requires the United States to cut its you support or oppose a national market
emissions of carbon dioxide 90% by the that allows companies to buy and sell the
National Science Foundation, year 2050.” right to emit greenhouse gases?”
Decision Research, Inc. and 50
35
the Center for Research on Environmental Decisions, based 40 46 30
31 31
at Columbia University. The survey was fielded May 1 through 25 27
May 19 by Knowledge Networks, using a representative, 30
32 20
online research panel of Florida respondents. The within-panel 20 15
completion rate was 66% (see http://www.knowledgenetworks. 10
12
10
com/ganp/index.html for more information about the KN 13
10 5
methodology). The sample was weighted to correspond with 0 0
U.S. Census Bureau parameters for the state of Florida. The STRONGLY MODERATELY MODERATELY STRONGLY
SUPPORT SUPPORT OPPOSE OPPOSE
STRONGLY MODERATELY MODERATELY STRONGLY
SUPPORT SUPPORT OPPOSE OPPOSE
margin of error for the complete set of weighted data is ±2.9%.

Principal Investigators
Anthony Leiserowitz Kenneth Broad
Director Associate Professor

Yale Project on Climate Change Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science
School of Forestry & Environmental Studies and Abess Center for Ecosystem Science & Policy
Yale University University of Miami

Center for Research on Environmental Decisions Co-Director


Columbia University Center for Research on Environmental Decisions
Columbia University
(203) 432-4865 (office)
anthony.leiserowitz@yale.edu (305) 421-4851 (office)
kbroad@rsmas.miami.edu

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

Das könnte Ihnen auch gefallen