Most people think climate change is happening, but there is a lack of consensus on its cause, according to a survey of 5000 people by the CSIRO. Only around half of respondents thought humans are to blame.
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Mara Bun
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I am confused by results from the recent newspoll which tracks acceptance of climate change as human induced at a significantly higher level than the CSIRO attitudes research http://resources.news.com.au/files/2011/05/03/1226049/460725-110504-climate-newspoll.pdf
The Newspoll outcome has significant implications in relation to pricing carbon - in the sense that a better community understanding of pricing mechanisms and implications and the trade-offs involved in reforming our energy mix through pricing is more possible with a populous that accepts the science.
On the other hand, if the deeper and broader CSIRO research reflects a more cynical view on whether climate change is human induced, engagement needs to also refocus on the science.
Could it be that there are big differences in how questions are asked between CSIRO and Newspoll?
Would love views from the authors here.