Even now, only half of Americans believe that climate change is caused by humans. This finding from a new Ipsos survey illuminates the gap between public opinion and science on arguably the most important scientific issue of our time. Forty-nine percent of Americans believe climate change is mostly caused by human action, a survey found, the lowest share seen in several years of surveys.  In other words, a narrow majority of the country disagrees with the nation's scientists, almost all of whom are convinced that humans are causing global warming. Twenty-seven percent of Americans say climate change is natural. Seven percent say the climate is not changing. Most other respondents say they are not sure. The gap between popular opinion and the scientific facts about global warming stems from age-old partisan differences, climate experts say, and reflects the conflicting attitudes of scientists and oil companies.  "Virtually all of climate science is on one side of the issue because it's actually looking at the evidence," said Edward Maibach, distinguished professor and director of the Center for Climate Change Communication at George Mason University. "The other side of the issue is basically driven by the fossil fuel industry and their friends in the conservative media and their friends in conservative politics." The global climate change debate began in the 1980s and positions have shifted as the globe warmed.  (Daniel De Visé, The HILL)

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