In a new poll of 625 likely voters, The Salt Lake Tribune found 46 percent believe global warming is a scientifically proven reality, while 45 percent think it is unproven. Two-thirds of Democrats hold the view that climate change is proven, while 55 percent of independents and just 35 percent of Republicans are persuaded.
While Utahns of all political stripes concur that ''all levels'' of government should do more to reduce energy consumption, 93 percent of Democrats hold that view. That compares to 84 percent of Republicans and 83 percent of independents.
Smaller majorities of Republicans and independents believe in the environmental value of reducing energy consumption. Eighty-seven percent of Democrats told surveyors less energy use would significantly benefit the environment, while 69 percent of Republicans and 71 percent of independents agreed it would help.
Burning fossil fuels that power vehicles and industry, and for heating and cooling, is considered the main human contributor to global warming.
Washington, D.C.-based Mason-Dixon Polling & Research conducted the poll for The Tribune Tuesday through Thursday. It has a margin of error of 4 percent.
