Science knowledge influences Democrats', but not Republicans' expectations for climate change harm % of U.S. adults who say each of these is very likely to occur because of climate change Rising sea levels that erode Rising beaches and shorelines Storms become more severe Damage to forests and plantlife More droughts or water shortages
Science knowledge is closely related to expectations for harm from climate change among Democrats, but not among Republicans. In 2016, Democrats with high science knowledge were far more likely than Democrats with low science knowledge to say a series of environmental impacts would be very likely to occur as a result of climate change, including rising sea levels and intensifying storms. But there are only modest or no differences among Republicans with different levels of science knowledge in their expectations of harm to the Earth’s ecosystems.
Science knowledge influences Democrats', but not  | Republicans' expectations for climate change harm  | % of U.S. adults who say each of these is very likely to occur because of  | climate change  | Rising sea levels that erode  | Harm to animal wildlife and habitats  | Rising beaches and shorelines  | Republican  | Democrat  | Republican  | Democrat  | Among those  | Among those  | Among those  | Among those  | with  | science  | with  | science  | with  | science  | with  | science  | know. ledge  | knowledge  | know. edge  | knowledge  | 75  | 73  | 62  | 61  | 36  | 33  | 31  | 27  | 26  | 25  | 27  | 27  | Low Med High  | Low Med High  | Low Med. High  | Low Med. High  | Storms become more severe  | Damage to forests and plantlife  | 74  | 72  | 60  | 57  | 37  | 36  | 33  | 30  | 27  | 29  | 24  | 19  | Low Med. High  | Low Med High  | Low Med High  | Low Med High  | More droughts or water shortages  | 71  | 60  | 43  | 30  | 29  | 17  | Low Med High  | Low Med High  | Note: Republicans and Democrats include independents and other nonpa rtisans who "lean  | toward the parties Science knowledge 10-June based on nine- item index  | Source: Survey conducted May 10-June 6. 2016.  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER 