Many publics around world doubt safety of genetically modified foods
Concern about genetically modified foods is widespread, with about half of people in 20 publics saying these foods are unsafe to eat.
Brian Kennedy is a senior researcher at the Pew Research Center, where he focuses on science and society research. He is an expert on public opinion on a number of science-related topics and frequently writes about public views on climate and energy issues and public trust in science. His work on climate, energy and environmental attitudes includes Majorities of Americans Prioritize Renewable Energy, Back Steps to Address Climate Change and Americans Divided Over Direction of Biden’s Climate Policies. And his publications on public trust in scientists include Americans Trust in Scientists, Positive Views of Science Continue to Decline and Americans Value U.S. Role as Scientific Leader, but 38% Say Country Is Losing Ground Globally.
Kennedy frequently discusses research on public opinion on climate, energy and environmental issues and public trust in science with the media and presents research on these topics to outside groups.
Kennedy is also an expert in methodological topics, including scale development. He has developed survey questions and scales to measure science knowledge and awareness of artificial intelligence in daily activities.
He received his Ph.D. in political science at Michigan State University, where his work focused on cross-national attitudes about climate change. Kennedy received his bachelor’s degree at Davidson College.
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Natural gas viewed more positively than other fossil fuels across 20 global publics
A median of 69% of adults across 20 global publics we surveyed are in favor of expanding the use of natural gas.
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Science and Scientists Held in High Esteem Across Global Publics
Majorities across 20 publics say government investments in scientific research are worthwhile and express a lot or some confidence in scientists to do what is right for the public.
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Americans prioritize being a world leader in scientific achievements more than other global publics
Nearly seven-in-ten Americans think it is very important for the United States to be a world leader in scientific achievements.
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Black Americans have less confidence in scientists to act in the public interest
There’s a 14-point gap between the shares of White and Black adults in the U.S. who say they have a great deal of confidence in scientists.
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Public confidence in scientists has remained stable for decades
44% of Americans have a great deal of confidence in the scientific community, while 47% have only some confidence and 7% have hardly any.
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Most Americans say climate change affects their local community, including 70% living near coast
Some 63% of Americans say climate change is currently affecting their local community either a great deal or some.
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Two-Thirds of Americans Think Government Should Do More on Climate
There is bipartisan support for several proposals to reduce the effects of climate change, especially for large scale tree-plantings to help absorb carbon emissions and offering tax credits to businesses that capture carbon emissions.
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Trust in Medical Scientists Has Grown in U.S., but Mainly Among Democrats
About six-in-ten Americans believe social distancing measures are helping a lot to slow the spread of coronavirus in the nation.
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For Earth Day 2020, how Americans see climate change and the environment in 7 charts
For Earth Day 2020, we take stock of public opinion in the United States about global climate change and the environment.
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