Despite the massive media coverage of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change this Spring, only 50 per cent of respondents to a recent national poll say global warming is caused primarily by human activity, up four points since December.
| Comment: 
Democracy is utterly dependant upon an electorate that is accurately informed. In promoting climate change denial (and often denying their responsibility for doing so) industry has done more than endanger the environment. It has undermined democracy.
There is a vast difference between putting forth a point of view, honestly held, and intentionally sowing the seeds of confusion. Free speech does not include the right to deceive. Deception is not a point of view. And the right to disagree does not include a right to intentionally subvert the public awareness.
Although all public relations professionals are bound by a duty to not knowingly mislead the public, some have executed comprehensive campaigns of misinformation on behalf of industry clients on issues ranging from tobacco and asbestos to seat belts.
Lately, these fringe players have turned their efforts to creating confusion about climate change. This PR campaign could not be accomplished without the compliance of media as well as the assent and participation of leaders in government and business.
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The good news is that solutions to global warming exist, check out Ross Gelbspan’s Green Sheet and his vision for a pathway to climate peace. Or, check out the latest below:
Youtube Discourse
It's not just global warming. The theory of evolution by natural selection is itself not taken as seriously as you'd think such a well entrenched (scientifically speaking) would be. I don't know the numbers, but they are nonetheless pitiful. So, in way, this number is not very surprising, but like another comment suggested: it is a cause for optimism.
I think that making the science more accessible to every day people, and teaching them what to look for in scientific papers or discussions, will give the science an edge in the public discourse.
In fact, much of that discussion is happening on Youtube. I've recently posted a "sick" video that aims to dispell the infamous "C02-temperature lag problem". It's my way of venting anger, but I also wanted to jolt people's brains with it. And I need viewership!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFGcsHJ_HsE
Well, it's an improvement,
Well, it's an improvement, albeit a slow one. Sooner or later it will increase at a more reasonable level.