Global Warming + Climate Change Survey

The students in the senior elective Atmospheric Science at Marymount School of New York hope to answer this question by conducting the first annual Global Survey on Youth Perspectives on Global Warming and Climate Change. The survey will seek to determine if teenagers believe global warming is naturally induced, human induced, or both, and to uncover what local and global evidence leads teenagers to conclude that the Earth’s average temperature is increasing (or not).

Read the final report here.
2022 Conclusions

  • The majority of respondents (91%) said that they have read and heard that there is evidence that the average temperature on Earth has been getting warmer.
  • The majority of respondents (62%) are very confident that the average temperature on Earth is increasing while 21% are somewhat confident. 
  • Over three quarters of the respondents believe that there is sufficient evidence to support the hypothesis that the average temperature on Earth is increasing.
  • Almost fifty percent of respondents believe that the earth is getting warmer as a result of both human activity and natural variations in the Earth’s climate.
  • Almost three quarters of respondents noted that warmer local temperatures led them to conclude that the Earth’s average temperature is increasing while more than half of the respondents added that there is more severe weather reported where they live.
  • There are multiple strands of evidence, on a global scale, that suggest a changing climate, including more severe weather, warmer temperatures, rising sea levels, and melting glaciers.
  • For respondents who do not believe there is local or global evidence that the Earth’s temperature is increasing, only 25% suggested natural reasons, while 20% replied that “being misled by the media.” A greater proportion of respondents stated they were “not sure,” or there was “no reason” for their conclusion.  
  • Similar to the 2017 survey results, scientific research or data, the Internet and social media, and teachers influence students beliefs on global warming and climate change the most?
  • Respondents believe that the federal government and the United Nations bear the greatest responsibility in addressing the potential effects of global warming and climate change while individuals bear the least responsibility.
  • Almost fifty percent of the respondents support a carbon tax.
  • Almost fifty percent of the respondents believe that they are educated about the primary issues associated with global warming and climate change.