* Original question phrased as: "Assuming global warming is happening, do you think it is..."
Number of survey respondents vary by year: • April 2020: Fielded April 7 – 17 (N = 1,029)
• November 2019: Fielded November 8 – November 20 (N = 1,303)
• December 2018: Fielded November 28 – December 11 (N = 1,114)
• March 2018: Fielded March 7 – March 24 (N = 1,278)
• October 2017: Fielded October 20 – November 1 (N = 1,304)
• November 2016: Fielded November 18 – December 1 (N = 1,226)
• October 2015: Fielded September 30 – October 19 (N = 1,330)
• October 2014: Fielded October 17 – 28 (N = 1,275)
• November 2013: Fielded November 23 – December 9 (N = 830)
• September 2012: Fielded August 31 – September 12 (N = 1,061)
• November 2011: Fielded October 20 – November 16 (N = 1,000)
• June 2010: Fielded May 14 – June 1 (N = 1,024)
• November 2008: Fielded October 7 – November 12 (N = 2,164).
Citation formats
U.S. adults who believe earth is warming due to human activity 2008-2020
This survey depicts the responses of U.S. adults as to what they think the main cause of climate change is - human activities or natural changes in the environment. As of April 2020, ** percent of respondents stated that they believed that climate change is mostly caused by human activities.
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Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, & Center For Climate Change Communication. (May 18, 2020). Share of respondents based on belief in main cause of climate change in the U.S. from 2008 to 2020* [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 25, 2026, from /statistics/237542/us-adults-who-accept-global-warming-due-to-human-activity/
Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, und Center For Climate Change Communication. "Share of respondents based on belief in main cause of climate change in the U.S. from 2008 to 2020*." Chart. May 18, 2020. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 25, 2026. /statistics/237542/us-adults-who-accept-global-warming-due-to-human-activity/
Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, Center For Climate Change Communication. (2020). Share of respondents based on belief in main cause of climate change in the U.S. from 2008 to 2020*. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 25, 2026. /statistics/237542/us-adults-who-accept-global-warming-due-to-human-activity/
Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, and Center For Climate Change Communication. "Share of Respondents Based on Belief in Main Cause of Climate Change in The U.S. from 2008 to 2020*." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 18 May 2020, /statistics/237542/us-adults-who-accept-global-warming-due-to-human-activity/
Yale Program on Climate Change Communication & Center For Climate Change Communication, Share of respondents based on belief in main cause of climate change in the U.S. from 2008 to 2020* ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/237542/us-adults-who-accept-global-warming-due-to-human-activity/ (last visited July 25, 2026)
Share of respondents based on belief in main cause of climate change in the U.S. from 2008 to 2020* [Graph], Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, & Center For Climate Change Communication, May 18, 2020. [Online]. Available: /statistics/237542/us-adults-who-accept-global-warming-due-to-human-activity/
