Every day there seems to be some new piece of evidence pointing towards the negative effects of climate change, and how global warming is going to end our existence if we don't take action now. While most of us agree, our planet is something to be nurtured and cherished, a recent poll shows that the number of Americans who actually believe in global warming is on the decline.

The poll of 1,500 adults by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press found that only 57% believe there is "strong scientific evidence" that the Earth is heating up. This is the lowest number in three years, down from 77% in 2006, according to the survey.

Interestingly enough, the decline occurred during a time of growing scientific evidence, such as melting ice caps due to record ocean temperatures, and political action, as Congress and the Obama administration have taken steps to get emissions that cause warming under control.

Since the concept of global warming hit the mainstream in the late 90s, the number of Americans that believe in it has hovered around 80%, according to Jon Krosnick of Stanford University, who has been conducting surveys about attitudes towards global warming since 1993.

Krosnick is surprised by the recent results, describing them as "implausible," because there is close to nothing that could have caused such a change in attitude.

The poll was released a day after 18 scientific organizations wrote Congress to reaffirm the consensus behind global warming.

"The priority that people give to pollution and environmental concerns and a whole host of other issues is down because of the economy and because of the focus on other things," said Andrew Kohut, the director of the research center, which conducted the poll from Sept. 30 to Oct. 4. "When the focus is on other things, people forget and see these issues as less grave."

Even with less faith in global warming, half of the poll respondents still said they support putting limits on greenhouse gases - even if it means higher energy prices. Many of these folks weren't very familiar with the concept of cap-and-trade, the primary greenhouse gas reduction mechanism being encouraged by the White House and passed by the House (up for approval in the Senate next week). Cap-and-trade would put a price on each ton of pollution and allow business to buy and sell permits to meet emission limits.

The survey results were also regional, with most Midwestern and mountainous residents being less convinced of global warming thant hose in the Northeast and West Coast.

What do you think, is global warming real? Or is it just a bunch of bologna?

via Discovery