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Climate Change Public Opinion: Analysis, Trends, and Challenges

This study examines public opinions on climate change from 2006 to 2009, analyzing contributions to newspapers and surveys. Results show varying levels of agreement with key climate change statements, influenced by question framing. Broadly, there is increasing agreement on observed changes and causes of climate change, with some polarized opinions noted in newspaper contributions. The study highlights the importance of context and editorial influence on shaping public perception of climate change.

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Climate Change Public Opinion: Analysis, Trends, and Challenges

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  1. What does 'public opinion' really say about climate change?Prof David Karoly, University of Melbourne A Climate for Change Federal Parliamentary briefing, 21 March 2011

  2. Opinions on climate change • In 2007, IPCC concluded • Most of the observed increase in global average temperature since the mid-20th century is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations • 97% of active climate scientists agree with these statements (Doran and Zimmerman, EOS, 2009) • 50% of US public “believe increases in the Earth's temperature over the last century are due more to the effects of human activities” (Gallup Poll 2010),(www.pollingreport.com/enviro.htm ) • 67% of Australians agree “that climate change is occurring and is due to human activity” (USSC, USyd, 09) • Only 24% of US TV weather forecasters agree with this IPCC statement (Wilson, BAMS, 2009)

  3. Analysis of opinions on climate change expressed in contributions to newspapers • Letters to the Editor and contributed OpEds, excluding columns from regular journalists • 2006 - 2009 • Major newspapers: The Australian (national, NL), Broadsheet: Sydney Morning Herald (Syd), The Age (Melb), Fairfax; Tabloid: Daily Telegraph (Syd), Herald-Sun (Melb), News Ltd. • Key word search using Lexis Nexis: “climate change”, “global warming”, “greenhouse” • Content analysis based on level of agreement with key conclusions of IPCC Fourth Assessment Report on climate change in 2007

  4. Statements analysed(based on conclusions of IPCC 4th Assessment) • Warming of the climate system is unequivocal; there has been a significant increase in global mean temperature over the 20th century • Increasing greenhouse gases due to human activity are the main cause of increasing global temperatures • Continued greenhouse gas emissions at or above current rates will cause substantial future warming • Warming will have some adverse impacts on water, ecosystems, food supply, coasts and health • The costs of immediate action to reduce emissions will be less then future costs of impacts of climate change

  5. Conclusions • Results from surveys of public opinion on climate change are greatly affected by framing of questions and context • Results from content analysis of Letters to the Editor and contributed OpEds for 2006 to 2009; broadsheet items generally agree more with statements on climate change than items in The Australian or tabloids. • For statements on observed changes and causes of climate change, little overall change, with increasing agreement (or falling disagreement) from 2008 to 2009, except for The Australian OpEds and tabloid Letters. Marked increase in the number of items addressing causes of climate change in 2009, particularly in Australian, both in Letters and OpEds. • General agreement with statements on impacts and future costs in all newspapers, until The Australian in 2009 • Limitations: polarised opinions likely in contributions, with influence from Editorial selection. Overall, similar broad spectrum of opinions

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