Financial Post

December 4, 2009

59% of Americans say it’s at least somewhat likely that some scientists have falsified research data to support their own theories and beliefs about global warming, according to a Rasmussen survey released yesterday. 35% say it’s Very Likely and just 26% say it’s not very or not at all likely that some scientists falsified data.

“This skepticism does not appear to be the result of the recent disclosure of e-mails confirming such data falsification as part of the so-called Climategate scandal,” notes Rasmussen. “Just 20% of Americans say they’ve followed news reports about those e-mails Very Closely, while another 29% have followed them Somewhat Closely.”

Rasmussen speculates that the UN’s credibility problem undermines the credibility of the scienctists associated with it. “One reason for this skepticism may be the role the United Nations has played in promoting the global warming issue. Only 22% of Americans consider the UN to be a reliable source of information on global warming. 49% disagree and say the international organization is not reliable on that topic. 29% aren’t sure.”

The Rasmussen survey also finds just 25% of Americans believe most scientists agree on global warming.