A new Gallup Poll shows Conservative Republicans' views on Global Warming diverge radically from the mainstream of American thought which increasingly matches the overwhelming scientific consensus. But like everything else in the real world conservative Republicans view Global Warming through their partisan media that distorts reality like the reflections of a funhouse mirror.
Conservative Republicans Alone on Global Warming's Timing
by Andrew Dugan
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- While notable majorities of all other political party/ideology groups say the effects of global warming will happen within their lifetime, fewer than four in 10 conservative Republicans (37%) agree, a sign of that political identity's strident skepticism on this issue.
Conservative Republicans not only decisively reject the notion that the effects of global warming will happen in this lifetime -- a position in sharp contrast to all other political identities -- but another 40% say global warming will never happen. This is significantly higher than the percentages of moderate/liberal Republicans (16%), non-leaning independents (14%), conservative/moderate Democrats (5%) and liberal Democrats (3%) who say the same.
These results are based on an aggregate of more than 6,000 interviews conducted as part of Gallup's annual Environment poll each March from 2010 to 2015.
Of the major political identities, conservative Republicans are the only group in which a clear majority (70%) attribute increasing terrestrial temperatures to natural changes in the environment. By contrast, majorities of Democrats and independents say global warming is due to effects of pollution from human activities. Moderate/liberal Republicans are split on the issue.
Conservative Republicans as a group stand alone in rejecting the growing consensus among Americans on human caused Global Warming. Republican leaders need enough integrity and courage to stand up to the the lunatic fringe in their own party, instead of pandering shamelessly to them. How long before that happens is hard to guess for a GOP used to bending over backwards to protect its Big Oil donors business as usual practices that the industry clings to.