Hispanics more likely to say global warming is caused by humans
Did you know that Hispanics are significantly more likely than whites to say the Earth is warming because of human activities? This is according to…
Did you know that Hispanics are significantly more likely than whites to say the Earth is warming because of human activities? This is according to an analysis revealed by the Pew Research Center.
Hispanics in the U.S. also believe that the U.S. should do whatever it takes to protect the environment.
Hispanics are more likely to say humans are the reason for global warming. (Chart from Pew Research Center)
More and more Hispanics every year are voting in presidential elections. By 2030, the Hispanic electorate is likely to double, according to the PRC.
SEE ALSO: Obama vetoes environmentally controversial Keystone XL pipeline bill
Because of this, it’s crucial for politicians to address the issues most important to Hispanics, particularly environmental issues such as global climate changes.
Hispanics generally skew towards the Democratic side of most political debates, which is also the side more likely to advocate for government action on issues such as climate change.
In the coming years, politicans will have to focus especially on the Hispanic demographic. (Shutterstock)
In a recent survey, the PRC asked participants if they believe there is solid evidence that the Earth has been warming over the past few decades.
Seventy percent of Hispanics say the earth is warming because of human activity while 44% of white agreed with that statement. More than half (56%) of blacks say the same. About 20% of Hispanics and whites and a quarter of blacks say the Earth is warming because of natural patterns.
Even with the staggering research and studies that science has provided us, still 31% (over a quarter) of Americans say there is no solid evidence of global warming compared to 11% of Hispanics and 17% of blacks, according to PCR.
History has shown us that public knowledge fluctuates and changes with the years. In 2006, 77% of U.S. adults said there is solid evidence of global warming. The percentage dropped to 57% in 2009 before rising to 72% in 2014.
70% of Hispanics say the Earth is warming because of human activity while only 44% of white said the same. (Shutterstock)
Unfortunately, global warming is only one facet of the environmental disaster list. A 2014 Pew Research Center survey study found that Hispanics also heavily vote for policies or politicians that promise to take strong actions to protect the environment.
Respondents were asked which statement they most agreed with: This country should do whatever it takes to protect the environment or This country has gone too far in its efforts to protect the environment. Three-quarters (76%) of Hispanics chose the first statement, compared with 84% of blacks and 67% of whites.
The question now arises as to why Hispanics stand out as environmental proponents more so than their white counterparts?
One reason could be that Hispanics are significantly younger than any other demographic and younger Americans are more likely than older Americans to say the Earth is warming because of human activity.
SEE ALSO: Hispanics worry about climate more than whites
Six-in-ten Americans ages 18-29 say the Earth is warming due to human activity, compared with 31% of those ages 65 and older and the median age of the general Hispanic population is 27 while the average age for whites hovers at 42, 33 for blacks and 37 as a nation.
Another likely reason could be because Hispanics and blacks lean Democratic more than whites. About 54% of Hispanics and 81% of blacks identify with or lean toward the Democratic Party, compared with 40% of whites.
