Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Americans more scared of clowns than climate change, poll shows

People in US as scared of gun rights infringement as death of family members

Harriet Agerholm
Thursday 27 October 2016 14:33 BST
Comments
Poll follows "killer clown craze" that swept UK and US
Poll follows "killer clown craze" that swept UK and US (AFP/Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Americans are more scared of clowns than they are of climate change, according to a new poll.

The survey conducted by Chapman University found that 42 per cent of people in the US said they were scared of clowns, while only 32 per cent were afraid of the consequences of a warming planet.

The poll follows a "killer clown craze" that swept across the US and Europe, where people dressed as clowns chased members of the public brandishing weapons.

More Americans are also scared of clowns than they are of terrorist attacks (41 per cent); family members dying, (38 per cent); economic collapse (37 per cent); and biological warfare (35 per cent).

They were equally scared of gun rights infringement (38 per cent) as they were of the death of family.

Over a third (36 per cent) said they were afraid of Obamacare, President Barack Obama's controversial health policy that aims to increase the number of Americans with health insurance.

The poll reflects the findings of a recent UN survey of concens across the globe that showed climate change was bottom of the list.

A leading general on Wednesday warned that climate change was threatening to displace millions of people and spark major wars that could "completely destabilise" the world.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in