With Earth Day week upon us, here are some fast facts about how world citizens view the environment and climate change:
- 48% of Americans now believe that the seriousness of global warming is generally exaggerated.
- 67% of conservatives say this, compared with 40% of moderates and 26% of liberals; all have grown more likely to say so since 2008.
- 67% of Americans do not think global warming will seriously threaten them or their way of life in their lifetime.
- Americans' level of concern about many environmental issues is currently at a 20-year low.
- 90% of Americans say they recycle, making it the most common environmentally friendly behavior in the U.S.
- 61% of the world's adult population knows at least something about global warming; 41% are aware of the issue and perceive it as a serious threat.
- 88% of people in Europe say they know at least something about climate change, compared with 44% in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Among the world's top polluting nations, Americans and Japanese are far more likely than Chinese, Russians, and Indians to report recycling and avoiding using harmful products.
- Across six key global economies, more say developed economies such as the U.S., Germany, and Japan should reduce emissions at the same time as fast-emerging economies such as China, India, and Brazil rather than say one group should reduce emissions first.
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