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Utahns are divided over the seriousness of the threat posed by climate change

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Global Warming 01Utahns may not be climate change deniers, but they aren’t that worried about it, either, a recent UtahPolicy.com poll shows.

The Dan Jones & Associates survey finds that Republicans, older Utahns and men are the least concerned about climate change.

While Democrats, women and younger Utahns are much more pessimistic about climate change and our ability to deal with it.

Here are some of numbers:

  • Overall, 31 percent of Utahns say climate change is “one of the greatest threats facing the world” today.
  • 43 percent say, “It’s a threat, but one that can be managed.”
  • 22 percent – or one fifth – say “it is not a threat at all.”
  • And 4 percent don’t know.

Since almost all climate/weather scientists agree that climate change is real and it is a serious threat, the fact that one-fifth of Utahns don’t realize that is concerning.

Utah men are less concerned about climate change:

  • 29 percent say it is not a threat at all.
  • Only 15 percent of women agree; no threat at all.
  • 37 percent of women say it is the greatest threat we face today.
  • But only 24 percent of men agree.
  • About the same say it can be managed, 44 percent of the men, 43 percent of the women.

Younger Utahns are much more concerned about it than older Utahns:

  • Those 18-to-24 years old – 41 percent say it is the greatest threat we face.
  • But of those 55-to-64 years old, only 35 percent say it is a great threat.
  • While only 5 percent of younger Utahns say it is no threat at all, and 21 percent of the older folks say it is not a threat.

Finally, there is a big partisan divide on how serious climate change may be:

  • 51 percent of Republicans say it is a manageable threat.
  • Only 26 percent of Democrats agree.
  • While 70 percent of Democrats say climate change is the greatest threat we face today.
  • But only 11 percent of Republicans agree.
  • Political independents are split, 42 percent say it is the greatest threat we face, 42 percent say it is manageable.
  • 35 percent of Republicans say it is no threat at all – a rather troubling number.
  • Only 4 percent of Democrats say it is no threat, while only 11 percent of independents agree.

Jones polled 822 adults from Jan. 3-15. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4 percent.