Majority of Republicans now believe climate change exists, new poll finds

Only 25 per cent of Republicans believe climate change is a "very serious" problem.

A majority of Republicans now admit that climate change does exist, according to a new poll.

The Monmouth University survey revealing a growing number of Americans acknowledge climate change is happening, and that most of them believe it’s becoming an issue.

Almost two-thirds of Republicans, 64 per cent, believe global warming exists. That number has increased from 49 per cent three years ago.

The poll also found the majority of Americans believe there is time to reverse the effects of climate change to prevent the devastating consequences of global warming. Most Americans believe the government is incapable of making an substantial efforts to stop global warming.

About 82 per cent of Democrats believe climate change is a “very serious” issues. Only 25 per cent of Republicans agree however.

Overall, 54 per cent of Americans believe that climate change is becoming a “very serious” problem.

The results from the poll are a stark contrast to President Donald Trump’s stance on climate change. Mr Trump, who once concluded global warming does not exist because it snows in New York, and his administration also plan to roll back environmental regulations and to resuscitate the fossil fuel industry.

Despite Mr Trump’s climate change policy, Patrick Murray, the director of Monmouth University Polling Institute, believes his supporters and conservatives are evolving their position on the matter.

“The president has cast doubt on the existence of climate change, even though a majority of his fellow Republicans now acknowledge it as a reality,” Mr Murray said in a statement. “Of course, the poll was conducted earlier this month, so it is entirely possible that some of his supporters have changed their minds again now that Trump has weighed in. That’s just the nature of American public opinion today.”