What a difference a few months can make in the realm of public opinion. According to The Rural Blog,and The Guardian, the number of Americans who now accept global warming as fact rests at 70%, up 7 points from July. Prof Barry Rabe, a co-author of the survey from the University of Michigan, explains: "The swing is largely due to recognition of the role that climate change is playing in changing weather patterns, with respondents citing weather events close to home.”
Also a factor in the change of opinion: the visit from Pope Francis to the East Coast last month. 15 percent of respondents said the Pope’s visit made them believers in climate change. According to the survey, the most significant rise in climate change acceptance is among Republicans and evangelical Christian groups.