Survey Shows Gap Between Scientists and the Public

New York Times ^ | July 9, 2009 | Cornelia Dean

[reaganaut1]

When it comes to climate change, the teaching of evolution and the state of the nation’s research enterprise, there is a large gap between what scientists think and the views of ordinary Americans, a new survey has found.

On the whole, scientists believe American research leads the world. But only 17 percent of the public agrees, and the proportion who name scientific advances as among the United States’ most important achievements has fallen to 27 percent from nearly 50 percent in 1999, the survey found.

And while almost all of the scientists surveyed accept that human beings evolved by natural processes and that human activity, chiefly the burning of fossil fuels, is causing global warming, general public is far less sure.

Almost a third of ordinary Americans say human beings have existed in their current form since the beginning of time, a view held by only 2 percent of the scientists. Only about half of the public agrees that people are behind climate change, and 11 percent does not believe there is any warming at all.

According to the survey, about a third of Americans think there is lively scientific debate on both topics; in fact, there is no credible scientific challenge to the theory of evolution and there is little doubt that human activity is altering the chemistry of the atmosphere in ways that threaten global climate.

The survey, by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the world’s largest scientific organization, involved about 2,000 members of the public and 2,500 scientists drawn from the rolls of the science advancement association, which includes teachers, administrators and others involved in science as well as researchers.

The survey, made public Thursday, is available at people-press.org.

[reaganaut1]

The role of scientists has partly shifted from discovering things that improve human welfare (in medicine, engineering, agriculture, etc.) to telling people what to do, through regulations on the environment, food and drink, and other areas. Some scientists dismiss ethical concerns about destroying embryos for stem cell research, and Obama characterized his reversal of Bush's ban as just a matter of following science. This attitude partly explains the growing gap between scientists and the general public.

Paul Krugman cites the Pew finding on people's description of their political views:

public: 20% liberal, 38% moderate, 37% conservative
scientists: 52% liberal, 35% moderate, 9% conservative

The Pew study is here .

[reaganaut1]

global warming ping

[Huskrrrr]

scientists: 52% liberal, 35% moderate, 9% conservative

I’m proud to be among the 9%

The few, the proud, the right.

[Caipirabob]

Technically speaking, I'm a scientist.

Global warming is bunk.

There. I've just gauranteed I'll never get a government grant...

[kabar]

And while almost all of the scientists surveyed accept that human beings evolved by natural processes and that human activity, chiefly the burning of fossil fuels, is causing global warming, general public is far less sure.

With this statement, the survey is transparently flawed. Pure nonsense.

[Brilliant]

The big problem with modern science is that it’s a racket which is more a tool of political propagandists than an honest attempt to understand nature.

[GBA]

If Algore's numbers are to be believed, a vast majority of scientists have settled once and for all that global warming is a currently occurring, undeniable, man-made disaster. Man-made disaster? Looks like normal, sun generated weather to me.

If these so-called scientists can't get something as simple as the weather right, why should I trust or care about what they have to say about anything else?

[steelyourfaith]

Thanx !

 

Beam me to Planet Gore !

[exDemMom]

Me, too. My former supervisor was also one of the 9%.

[SunkenCiv]

...while almost all of the scientists surveyed accept that human beings evolved by natural processes and that human activity, chiefly the burning of fossil fuels, is causing global warming, general public is far less sure...

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[Just mythoughts]

Well if this poll is correct, then maybe those that believed that Bama’s scientific methodology of restoring what is said to have been taken will wake up sooner than NOT.

The secularites have conjured up the perfect road map for leftist to take what they have NO God given authority to take.

[posterchild]

It would be interesting to see what professions they include in the category of ‘scientist.’

[KC_Conspirator]

in fact, there is no credible scientific challenge to the theory of evolution and there is little doubt that human activity is altering the chemistry of the atmosphere in ways that threaten global climate.

No, not in fact. In lie.

[Ann Archy]

Then why are they dumb about voting for Democrats still???

[Monkey Face]

NO! Say it isn’t so! Scientists and “the public” don’t agree??? My heart is broke. *thud*

[ctyankee00]

Considering the source(s) - Pew and NYT - I’m suspicious of those numbers (52 seems high and 9 sounds low) but thank you for standing with correct minority.

[Avoiding_Sulla]

And while almost all of the scientists surveyed accept that human beings evolved by natural processes and that human activity, chiefly the burning of fossil fuels, is causing global warming,

B O G U S    Study

[LostPassword]

I'm not sure how valid their selection of "scientists" is. They were selected from AAAS which describes itself as

As a member of AAAS your involvement actively supports programs that:
* Help governments formulate science policy (Learn More)
* Promote advancements in science education (Learn More)
* Increase diversity in the scientific community (Learn More)
* Use science to advance human rights (Learn More)
* Assist individual scientists in developing their careers (Learn More)
* Communicate the value of science to the general public (Learn More)

It seems like certain "types" of scientists are more likely to join than other "types".

[Oldpuppymax]

And while almost all of the scientists surveyed accept that human beings evolved by natural processes and that human activity, chiefly the burning of fossil fuels, is causing global warming, general public is far less sure.

Ah yes, the money phrase: ALMOST ALL SCIENTISTS SURVEYED...
In other words, only the proper scientist were part of this hoax. The tens of thousands who know that global warming is a fraud were evidently not at home when PEW called!

[Oldpuppymax]

And the standard conclusion of the Times? People are just dumb and must be protected from themselves by we, the superior folk on the left.