The right-wing conning of America continues
by David Atkins
The Republican big money men are literally making Americans more ignorant about basic science for this own profit, and making America both a laughingstock and an impediment to fixing the world’s most pressing crisis:
A new international survey shows that Americans are more divided and doubtful about climate change than people in other leading countries, even as the scientific evidence supporting it keeps piling up.
Ipsos-MORI, one of the largest market research companies in Great Britain, released its new Global Trends 2014 survey covering data from 200 questions with over 16,000 interviewees in 20 countries. The survey asked about a variety of issues, including technology, the economy, privacy, government and the environment.
When asked if they agreed with the statement, “The climate change we are currently seeing is largely the result of human activity,” just 54 percent of Americans surveyed said yes. Although this number indicates a majority, the United States still ranked last among 20 countries in the poll.
The U.S. number was ten points lower than the next lowest countries on the list, Britain and Australia, where 64 percent agreed that humans are causing climate change. China topped the list, with 93 percent of its citizens agreeing that human activity is causing climate change. Large majorities also agreed in France (80 percent), Brazil (79 percent), Germany (72 percent) and other countries.
Similarly, 91 percent of those from China agreed with statement, “We are heading for environmental disaster unless we change our habits quickly.” Only 57 percent of Americans thought so — again, last among 20 nations surveyed.
Still, there’s hope:
Keith Gaby, communications director for climate and air at the Environmental Defense Fund, told CBS News that while American opinion is divided, there is some common ground. He noted a recent NBC/Wall Street Journal poll that found 61 percent of respondents believe some type of action is needed against global climate change. Two-thirds in that survey said they either strongly or somewhat supported carbon emission caps.
“But it is true that a very loud minority has made action on climate change more difficult. I think that’s because the issue — which should be judged on science — has gotten caught up in partisan politics,” Gaby told CBS News in an email. “We need to [reopen] a productive, [bipartisan] dialogue about solutions that will help our environment and our economy.”
By the time the world’s sociopathic wealthy are finished with their conman routine designed to prevent rapid moves away from the fossil fuel industry, most of them will be departed from this earth, having passed away comfortable and rich.
The least we can do is curse their memories and make sure their heirs don’t stand to gain disproportionately from the blood money they’ve stolen at all of our expense.
.