Poll Finds Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Are More Likely to Believe in Human-Caused Climate Change

By: Beth Moreton | Published: Apr 23, 2024

Climate change is a prevalent cause for concern, and recent polls have shown who is most likely to believe it.

The poll considered different groups of people, as well as the reasons that could have caused climate change, and found that Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) believe in climate change the most.

Causes of Climate Change

There can be many reasons for climate change. According to NRDC, this is mostly natural and human-driven.

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Natural causes include volcanic eruption, tectonic shifts, and solar radiation. Human-driven causes include burning fossil fuels, greenhouse gases, and generating electricity.

84% of AAPI Adults Believe in Climate Change

AP Press conducted a Survey examining the different groups of adults who believe in climate change and what they believe has caused it.

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The survey found that 84% of AAPI adults believe climate change exists, compared to 75% of US adults.

Climate Change Caused by Human Activity

Of the AAPI adults who did believe in climate change, 75% believe that it is either mostly or entirely caused by human activity.

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This is compared to US adults, with 61% of those who believe in climate change believing it is mostly or entirely caused by human activity.

AAPI’s Interest in Climate Change

The AAPI population has an extended interest in climate change due to where their overseas relatives live.

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CarbonBrief states, for example, that China became the largest annual emitter of greenhouse gases in 2006, which puts the planet at further risk from global warming.

AAPI’s Are Environmental Voters

The Environmental Voter Project has found that AAPI adults are increasingly likely to vote for candidates who make the environment a top priority.

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The study found that in 19 states across the US, around 25% of AAPI voters made environmental issues their top priority.

Republicans vs Democrats

Republican and Democrat voters often have opposing views on many aspects of life, including climate change.

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A study conducted by AP NORC found that of those who have experienced extreme weather, 93% of Democrats believe it is caused by climate change, compared to 48% of Republicans.

What People Think Causes Climate Change

In the same study, adults who believe in climate change were also asked what they believe causes it.

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61% believe it is caused by human activity, 10% believe it is caused by natural environmental changes, and 29% believe an equal mix of each causes it.

Older and Younger Generations

There is often much discourse regarding the difference in attitudes between younger and older generations, especially regarding climate change.

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A study conducted by the Pew Research Center discovered that 71% of Millenials believe climate change should be a top concern, compared to 67% of Gen Z and 57% of Boomers and older generations.

What the Scientists Say

Scientists are often looking into climate change and the causes behind it.

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The Royal Society reports that greenhouse gases are a major cause of climate change, and human activity contributes to the increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

How Individuals Lower Their Contributions Towards Climate Change

There are recommendations outlined by the United Nations for how individuals can lower their contributions towards climate change.

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This includes using renewable energy sources, choosing other modes of transport over driving a car, recycling, and eating more vegetables instead of meat.

Speaking Up Is Most Important

Even if individuals make individual changes to help with climate change, they should remember to speak up about it.

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This can help spread the message to others about how their actions contribute to climate change and what can be done to make the all-important changes to help the planet.