New Yale Study Shows Majority of Americans Support Climate Education and Carbon Regulation

A new study released today by Yale University in conjunction with George Mason University finds the majority of Americans favor regulating carbon emissions and educational programs related to climate change. While the recently released Yale poll which found Americans opinions on the urgency of acting to control greenhouse gases declining and skepticism rising, the new study entitled titled Climate Change in the American Mind:Public Support for Climate & Energy Policies in January 2010 finds broad based public support for action on climate issues regardless of political preferences.

The new poll found that a majority of Americans support:

Protecting the environment, even if it reduces economic growth (63%).

Schools should teach our children about the causes, consequences, and potential solutions
to global warming (70%)

Our government should establish programs to teach Americans about global warming (60%)

Our government should establish programs to help Americans reduce their own
greenhouse gas emissions (65%)

Our government should establish programs to teach Americans how to save energy (75%)

Overall, protecting the environment Improves economic growth and provides new jobs (67%)

When there is a conflict between environmental protection and economic growth, protecting the environment is more important, even if it reduces economic growth (63%)

The poll also found that the vast majority support renewable energy research (85%) and a 10 point drop in support for new nuclear power plants from 2008. 61% are in favor of the US signing an international treaty that requires the United States to cut its emissions of carbon dioxide 90% by the year 2050 and 71% favor regulating carbon dioxide (the primary greenhouse
gas) as a pollutant.