Request edit access
being a human climate scientist
This questionnaire should take about 10 minutes. Your identity will NOT be transmitted (unless you write your name in a comment box). It is understood that you speak only on your own behalf as a human.

Only the first few questions are required; the rest are optional, but please try to be as complete as possible. There is space at the end for general comments.

The author is an early-career Earth scientist, and the purpose is to satisfy curiosity. The results may be presented informally at various venues. You will have a chance to view the results after you submit your responses.

Please feel free to forward this questionnaire to your colleagues.

Sign in to Google to save your progress. Learn more
For approximately how many years have you been a full-time scientist or researcher? (include graduate school, but not undergraduate) *
Which best describes your research focus? *
Do you believe the planet is warming (i.e. the global average surface temperature is increasing)? *
If you believe the planet is warming, do you believe humans are the primary cause? *
If you believe the planet is warming, approximately what percentage of the warming do you believe is due to human causes?
Clear selection
Of the Earth scientists whom you know PERSONALLY, what percentage do you suppose believe that the planet is warming AND that the warming is primarily caused by humans? (your best guess)
Have you co-authored a peer-reviewed publication directly related to the climate?
Clear selection
Have you co-authored a peer-reviewed publication INDIRECTLY related to the climate?
Clear selection
By your own definition, do you consider yourself to be a "climate scientist"?
Clear selection
Approximately how many work-related trips do you take per year?
Do you believe that we will stay below the "2 degree celsius threshold"?
Clear selection
Are you generally optimistic or pessimistic about climate change?
Clear selection
If you feel either optimistic or pessimistic, please explain why.
How concerned are you by climate change?
not at all
it's the biggest challenge facing humanity
Clear selection
The human population is currently 7.5 billion. Do you feel that this is more or less than what the planet can carry sustainably?
Clear selection
How many humans do you suppose the planet can carry sustainably? (Please take your best guess even though you may not be an expert.)
Clear selection
What do you think will be the peak global average surface temperature, in degrees Celsius above the 1850-1900 average? (your best guess)
In approximately what year do you think global peak temperature will occur? (best guess)
Approximately how many miles per year do you fly (total, not just work-related)?
How much of your personal climate impact do you suppose comes from flying? (please take your best guess; you may consider your impact on a 20 year time horizon)
Clear selection
Do you believe humans should engage in large-scale geoengineering?
Clear selection
How likely do you think it is that humans will, at some point, engage in geoengineering in response to global warming?
very unlikely
nearly certain
Clear selection
Do you think life on Earth will be better or worse (for the majority of people) in 2100 relative to today?
much worse
much better
Clear selection
How much concern do you feel about sea level rise?
no concern
great concern
Clear selection
How much concern do you feel about warming-related epidemics?
no concern
great concern
Clear selection
How much concern do you feel about increased flooding and extreme storms?
no concern
great concern
Clear selection
How much concern do you feel about warming-related drought?
no concern
great concern
Clear selection
How much concern do you feel about warming-related economic collapse?
no concern
great concern
Clear selection
How much concern do you feel about warming-related agricultural collapse?
no concern
great concern
Clear selection
How much concern do you feel about warming-related biodiversity loss (i.e. warming as a driver of biodiversity loss)?
no concern
great concern
Clear selection
How much concern do you feel about increasing extreme heat?
no concern
great concern
Clear selection
How much concern do you feel about warming-related civil unrest (e.g. war and migration)?
no concern
great concern
Clear selection
Are there other climate impacts that concern you, or would you care to comment on the previous questions?
What motivates you most as a scientist?
Clear selection
In your opinion, how important is additional scientific understanding, beyond what we know already, for catalyzing climate action?
not important
very important
Clear selection
In your opinion, what limits the effectiveness of the US response to climate change?
Speaking as a human (not a scientist): if you could enact one US policy for climate action, what would it be?
How many times have you engaged with the general public about climate change within the last year (e.g. by writing, speaking, being interviewed, etc.)?
Clear selection
In your opinion, should climate scientists stick to the science, or should they also warn society that change is needed (without necessarily suggesting a particular policy)?
just do science
strongly advocate for change
Clear selection
When other climate scientists advocate for change, does this tend to increase or decrease your respect for them?
decreases my respect
increases my respect
Clear selection
Is it generally acceptable for a scientist to advocate for a specific climate policy, on his or her own behalf?
Clear selection
If a scientist advocates for a specific policy on his or her own behalf, is he or she taking a risk?
Clear selection
If you think advocating for a specific policy is risky, please briefly describe the risk.
Do you agree with this statement: "burning fossil fuels harms other people."
Clear selection
Does it bother you, personally, to burn fossil fuels?
Clear selection
Is it morally acceptable to burn fossil fuels? (please choose the answer closest to your beliefs)
Clear selection
Space for comments (if any) on the previous question:
In your opinion, is it useful for members of the general public to work to gradually but significantly reduce their emissions?
not useful at all
very useful
Clear selection
In your opinion, would it be useful for climate scientists as a group to work to gradually but significantly reduce their emissions?
not useful at all
very useful
Clear selection
How often do you feel despair about global warming?
never
nearly always
Clear selection
How often do you feel panic about global warming?
never
nearly always
Clear selection
How often do you feel grief about global warming?
never
nearly always
Clear selection
How often do you feel frustration about society's lack of response to climate change?
never
nearly always
Clear selection
Do you ever feel that it's surreal to be a scientist studying the changing Earth system?
never
nearly always
Clear selection
How often do you talk with your colleagues about your human feelings about climate change?
Clear selection
Would you like to discuss these kinds of "human" aspects of being an Earth scientist more often?
not at all
very much
Clear selection
Would you be interested in seeing the results of this survey?
Clear selection
Your gender:
Clear selection
Please suggest one question that would make this questionnaire more interesting.
Has any part of this questionnaire irritated you? If so, please explain.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Submit
Clear form
Never submit passwords through Google Forms.
This content is neither created nor endorsed by Google. Report Abuse - Terms of Service - Privacy Policy
Google Forms