delaware residents’ opinions on climate change …...rise are happening but are only mostly...
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DELAWARE RESIDENTS’ OPINIONS ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND SEA LEVEL RISE
Conducted for the State of Delaware and the Delaware Sea Grant College Program
by Responsive Management
2014
DELAWARE RESIDENTS’ OPINIONS ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND SEA LEVEL RISE
2014
Responsive Management National Office Mark Damian Duda, Executive Director
Martin Jones, Senior Research Associate Tom Beppler, Research Associate Sarah Butzen, Research Associate
Steven J. Bissell, Ph.D., Qualitative Research Associate Andrea Criscione, Research Associate Patrick Doherty, Research Associate
Gregory L. Hughes, P.E., Research Associate Alison Lanier, Business Manager
130 Franklin Street Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Phone: 540/432-1888 Fax: 540/432-1892 E-mail: [email protected]
www.responsivemanagement.com
Acknowledgments
Responsive Management would like to thank Kelly Valencik, Susan Love, and Jennifer DeMooy
of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and Jennifer
Merrill of the University of Delaware for their input, support, and guidance on this project.
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise i
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY
This study was conducted for the State of Delaware and the Delaware Sea Grant College
Program to determine residents’ opinions on climate change and sea level rise, whether residents
believe they are happening, the perceived threats posed by them, and opinions on the potential
mitigative actions that could taken. The study entailed a telephone survey of Delaware residents
18 years old and older. Specific aspects of the research methodology are discussed below.
For the survey, telephones were selected as the preferred sampling medium because of the
almost universal ownership of telephones among Delaware residents (both landlines and cell
phones were called in their proper proportions). Additionally, telephone surveys, relative to mail
or Internet surveys, allow for more scientific sampling and data collection, provide higher quality
data, obtain higher response rates, are more timely, and are more cost-effective. Telephone
surveys also have fewer negative effects on the environment than do mail surveys because of
reduced use of paper and reduced energy consumption for delivering and returning the
questionnaires.
The telephone survey questionnaire was developed cooperatively by Responsive Management
and Delaware research team. Responsive Management conducted pre-tests of the questionnaire
to ensure proper wording, flow, and logic in the survey. The sample of Delaware residents was
obtained from SSI and DatabaseUSA, companies that specialize in providing scientifically valid
samples for surveys. Telephone surveying times are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to
9:00 p.m., Saturday from noon to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., local time.
The survey was conducted in August 2014. The software used for data collection was
Questionnaire Programming Language. Responsive Management obtained a total of 1,508
completed interviews. The analysis of data was performed using Statistical Package for the
Social Sciences as well as proprietary software developed by Responsive Management.
In general, the trends analysis shows that fluctuations in responses from 2009 to 2014 were not
dramatic and often only slight, even when statistically significant. Overall, it seems that
Delaware residents have become slightly more supportive of or agreeable to the concept of and
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actions related to climate change and, to a lesser degree, sea level rise and may be slightly more
likely to consider them threats, but concern for both has not increased substantially. Self-
reported knowledge levels about climate change and sea level rise have also not experienced
increases, even though strong agreement that we should take immediate action to reduce the
impacts related to each showed substantial and statistically significant increases: 35% strongly
agreed we should take immediate action to reduce the impacts of climate change in 2009
compared to 54% in 2014, and 35% strongly agreed we should take immediate action to reduce
the impacts of sea level rise in 2009 compared to 49% in 2014.
It is worth noting that many of the increases and decreases that were seen in the trends analysis
are in the extreme categories, such the responses that are qualified with strongly or very,
suggesting the changes in attitudes could be more a shift in degree, that is, perhaps some who
were previously only slightly or moderately of an opinion have now progressed to a more
solidified or stronger opinion. Nonetheless, there are also some small yet encouraging decreases
in responses that suggest a denial or misinformed stance on climate change and sea level rise.
PERCEPTIONS OF IMPORTANT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
� To test where climate change and sea level rise rank in the concerns that Delaware residents
have, the survey presented a list of seven areas of possible concern and asked residents to
indicate if they were very concerned, somewhat concerned, or not at all concerned about
each. Both climate change and sea level rise are the lowest ranked of the items. While a
majority of residents are very concerned about the economy (72% are very concerned), public
education (69%), health care (67%), crime rates (62%), and the environment (60%), less than
a majority are very concerned about climate change (41%) and sea level rise (25%).
� Similar to the above question, the survey presented a list of nine possible environmental
concerns and asked residents to rate their concern (very, somewhat, or not at all). Again,
climate change (the 7th ranked) and sea level rise (the 9th ranked) are low on the ranking by
very concerned. A majority of residents are very concerned about water pollution (71%),
toxic waste (68%), air quality (61%), loss of forest habitat (54%), and declining fish and
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise iii
wildlife populations (52%). This compares to 43% being very concerned about climate
change and 36% being very concerned about sea level rise.
KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND SEA LEVEL RISE
� Two questions asked residents to rate their knowledge about climate change and sea level
rise. They claim to know a bit more about climate change than sea level rise.
• Most Delaware residents say that they know at least a moderate amount about climate
change: 62% say that they know either a great deal (14%) or a moderate amount (48%).
At the other end, 32% claim to know a little, and only 5% say that they know nothing.
• In looking at knowledge of sea level rise, 41% of residents say that they know a great
deal or moderate amount; meanwhile, 58% say that they know a little or nothing.
OPINION ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND SEA LEVEL RISE AND WHETHER THEY
ARE HAPPENING
� Residents fall into three camps: deniers/the misinformed (making up about a quarter of
residents), those on the fence, so to speak (making up about a third), and those who think that
climate change and sea level rise are happening (making up just under half).
• The deniers/misinformed are the 20% who are not so or not at all convinced that climate
change is happening, and the 26% who are not so or not at all convinced that sea level
rise is happening. They include all of the 3% who say that most scientists think climate
change is not happening, and a portion of the 31% who say that there is a lot of
disagreement among scientists about whether it is happening.
• The middle ground consists of those who are convinced that climate change and sea level
rise are happening but are only mostly convinced (rather than completely convinced).
This group consists of the 32% who are mostly convinced about climate change and the
31% who are mostly convinced about sea level rise. Some of this group say that there is
a lot of disagreement among scientists about whether it is happening, while some know
that most scientists think climate change is happening.
• The final group are those who think that climate change and sea level rise are happening.
This group consists of those who are completely convinced that climate change (46%)
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and sea level rise (39%) are happening and the 49% who say that most scientists think
climate change is happening.
o The survey questions that made up this section summary are discussed below.
� In basic questions, the survey directly asked residents about their opinions on whether
climate change and sea level rise are happening.
• Regarding climate change, 20% of Delaware residents say that they are not so convinced
or not at all convinced that climate change is happening. At the other end, 79% are
completely or mostly convinced; however, a substantial portion of that consists of
residents who are only mostly convinced (46% are completely and 32% are mostly
convinced—rounding on the graph causes the apparent discrepancy in the sum, which is
79% when calculated on unrounded numbers).
• Likewise, 26% of residents are not so convinced or not at all convinced that sea levels are
rising; 70% are completely or mostly convinced, the latter split between completely
convinced (39%) and mostly convinced (31%).
o The survey included another way to assess opinion on whether climate change is
happening. The survey asked residents if they agree or disagree that “Scientists are
right that climate change is occurring”: while the majority of residents agree (83%), a
substantial percentage (11%) disagree.
o Another question asked residents to say, regardless of their personal views, whether
or not most scientists think climate change is happening. Misinformation is rampant,
as 31% say that there is a lot of disagreement among scientists about whether it is
happening or not, and another 3% say that most scientists think climate change is not
happening. Only 49% of residents correctly say that most scientists think that climate
change is happening.
o A follow-up question asked residents to say whether climate change, if it is indeed
happening, is caused mostly by human activities, mostly by natural changes in the
environment, or both about equally. Most commonly, residents say it is caused
mostly by human activities (41%), while 24% say mostly natural causes, and 29% say
both about equally.
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise v
o Another question asked if residents agree or disagree that “Climate change is
contributing to the rise in sea levels.” The majority (79%) agree, but 11% disagree.
� The survey delved into personal experiences with climate change and sea level rise, asking
residents if they agree or disagree that they have personally experienced the impacts of
climate change and sea level rise.
• A slight majority agree that they have “personally experienced or observed local impacts
of climate change” (53%), but 40% disagree.
• Just over a quarter agree that they have “personally experienced the impacts of sea level
rise” (28%), but the majority disagree (66%).
PERCEPTIONS OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND SEA LEVEL RISE AS A THREAT
� About a fifth of Delaware residents (19%) are complacent about climate change, saying that
climate change as a threat is not very serious or not at all serious. At the other end of the
scale, 34% say it is a somewhat serious threat, and 45% say it is a very serious threat.
� A question asked about level of worry about sea level rise: 31% of residents are not at all
worried about sea level rise. Moving up the scale, 24% are only a little worried, 31% are
worried a moderate amount, and 13% are worried a great deal.
� The survey presented ten items and asked respondents to rate how much of a threat climate
change was to each. The items fall into four tiers:
• The top tier consists of people’ health and Delaware’s agriculture: 45% and 44%,
respectively, say that climate change is a very serious threat to the items.
• The next tier consists of people’s safety and the natural resources of Delaware: 38% and
34% say it is a very serious threat to them.
• The third tier is made up of Delaware’s economy, Delaware’s infrastructure, and outdoor
recreation in Delaware: 30%, 29%, and 28%, respectively, say climate change is a very
serious threat to these.
• The bottom tier consists of national security, the local community, and people’s homes:
less than 25% think climate change is a very serious threat to these.
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� Similar to the above series, another series presented 15 items to residents and asked them to
say how much of a threat sea level rise is to each. In looking at the percentages who think
that sea level rise is a very serious threat, three tiers emerge:
• Two items are at the top substantially ahead of the rest of the items: Delaware’s beaches
and ocean-front cities and towns in Delaware. On these, 57% and 56%, respectively,
think sea level rise is a very serious threat.
• A middle tier consists of 9 of the 15 items, with a quarter to just under half saying sea
level rise is a very serious threat: these include marsh and wetlands areas and riverfront
cities and towns in Delaware, as well as Delaware’s public works systems, its wildlife
populations, its economy, and outdoor recreation in Delaware.
• The bottom tier is people’s local community, themselves, their property, and their
families. Each of these has less than 25% saying that sea level rise is a very serious threat
to it.
� Two questions examined perceptions of the timing of climate change and sea level rise.
• Residents were asked when they think climate change will have an impact on their area.
The most common response is that it is having impacts now (41% give this response).
Another 33% give a time of 25 years or less. However, 18% consist of those saying 50 or
100 years or saying never (i.e., climate change is not happening).
• Regarding sea level rise, 20% say now, 40% give a time of 25 years or less, and 29%
saying 50 or 100 years or never.
PERCEPTIONS OF EFFICACY OF TAKING ACTION TO MITIGATE CLIMATE
CHANGE
� A majority of Delaware residents (72%) agree that the impacts of climate change can be
reduced by human efforts; on the other hand, 21% disagree. Likewise, 59% agree that sea
level rise can be reduced by human efforts, while 29% disagree.
• Similarly, 65% agree that they can personally take actions that will help reduce climate
change; meanwhile, 28% disagree.
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise vii
� Two questions delved into the amount of action that can be taken to reduce climate change,
both asking about agreement or disagreement with statements. The first statement says that
“There is limited action that can be taken to reduce climate change,” and the second
statement says that “There are many actions that can be taken to reduce climate change.” A
greater percentage agree that there are many actions that can be taken than agree that there is
limited action that can be taken.
• For limited action, 49% of residents agree that there is limited action that can be taken to
reduce climate change. However, 42% disagree with this statement.
• For many actions, 70% of residents agree that there are many actions that can be taken to
reduce climate change, while only 19% disagree.
MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES PERTAINING TO CLIMATE CHANGE
� Regardless of their opinions on climate change and sea level rise, the large majority of
residents say that action should be taken to address or reduce the impacts of sea level rise in
their area before impacts occur (74% say this) rather than as impacts begin (8%) or after
impacts cause problems (3%). Note that 8% said never because sea levels are not rising.
� Two questions looked at whether action should be taken now or whether more study should
be done.
• A large majority of Delaware residents (76%) agree that we should take immediate action
to reduce the impacts of climate change; on the other hand, 18% disagree.
• This compares to 63% who agree that we should conduct more research before taking
any action to address climate change and 32% who disagree.
• A similar pairing of questions asked the same thing about sea level rise. A large majority
of Delaware residents (72%) agree that we should take immediate action to reduce the
impacts of sea level rise, while 21% disagree. Meanwhile, 64% agree that we should
conduct more research before taking any action to address sea level rise, and 30%
disagree.
� A large majority of residents (74%) agree that the state of Delaware needs to conduct more
research to identify the impacts of sea level rise in the state; 18% disagree.
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� The survey presented ten actions that could be taken to address sea level rise in Delaware.
For each action, residents were asked if they would support or oppose it.
• Two actions are in a top tier: change building codes and regulations to reduce risk in
flood prone areas and avoid building new structures in areas at risk from sea level rise:
63% and 62%, respectively, strongly support those actions.
• The next tier consists of those actions with well more than a third to a half in strong
support: increasing funding for research (50%); elevating buildings in areas of risk
using private funding (46%); allowing beaches and wetlands to naturally migrate inland
(41%); building dikes, seawalls, and bulkheads to keep water back (38%); and elevating
the land surface in areas of risk (38%).
• The bottom tier are those that explicitly entail using government funds: elevating
buildings in areas at risk from sea level rise using government funds (34%), purchasing
or acquiring land and open space at risk from sea level rise from willing land sellers
using government funds (29%), and purchasing or buying out frequently flooded
properties using government funds (24%).
� The large majority of Delaware residents (70%) support having their local and state
governments spend more money on public construction projects if it means that the structures
could withstand or accommodate sea level rise; however, 20% oppose.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR TAKING ACTION
� The survey presented five entities and asked whether each should be doing more to address
or reduce the impacts of sea level rise in Delaware. In looking at the percentages who say
that the entities should be doing much more, there is little separation between the top four
entities: business and industry (43% say that they should do much more), the federal
government (41%), the state government (40%), and the local/county government (38%). At
the bottom are Delaware’s residents (34% of residents say that Delaware’s residents should
be doing much more).
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise ix
PERSONAL ACTIONS TAKEN RELATED TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND SEA LEVEL
RISE
� About 2 in 5 Delaware residents (41% of them) say that they have personally taken action
within the past 2 years to try to reduce climate change.
� The survey presented six things that people could have done pertaining to addressing sea
level rise or learning more about sea level rise. The majority of residents have read a
newspaper or magazine article about sea level rise (53%), and nearly half have had a
conversation with a friend or family member about sea level rise (45%). Lesser percentages
have read about sea level rise on social media (29%), have visited a website for sea level rise
information (24%), have read a brochure or handout about sea level rise (17%), or have
attended a public meeting or workshop about sea level rise (7%).
SOURCES OF INFORMATION ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE AND SEA LEVEL RISE
� The most popular sources of information about environmental issues in Delaware are
television (47% get environmental information this way), newspapers (44%), and the Internet
(42%). No other source was named by more than 15% of residents.
� The topics about climate change and sea level rise most in demand include the impacts of
climate change and sea level rise, the impacts specifically on the Delaware Bay and the
state’s beaches, actions that can be taken to mitigate climate change and sea level rise,
impacts on specific resources or groups, how to protect property, how climate change and sea
level rise correlate, and funding needs to address the impacts.
� Residents are split on whether there is enough available information about sea level rise:
46% agree that there is, but 44% disagree.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction and Methodology ........................................................................................................1
Use of Telephones for the Survey ...........................................................................................1
Questionnaire Design ..............................................................................................................1
Survey Sample .........................................................................................................................1
Telephone Interviewing Facilities ...........................................................................................2
Interviewing Dates and Times .................................................................................................2
Telephone Survey Data Collection and Quality Control .........................................................2
Data Analysis ...........................................................................................................................3
Sampling Error ........................................................................................................................3
Additional Information About the Presentation of Results in the Report ...............................4
Perceptions of Important Environmental Issues ..............................................................................6
Knowledge and Awareness of Climate Change and Sea Level Rise .............................................52
Opinion on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise and Whether They Are Happening ..................64
Perceptions of Climate Change and Sea Level Rise as a Threat .................................................108
Potential Actions Perceived to Affect Climate Change ...............................................................182
Perceptions of Efficacy of Taking Action to Mitigate Climate Change .............................182
Management Strategies Pertaining to Climate Change .......................................................210
Responsibility for Taking Action ........................................................................................292
Personal Actions Taken Related to Climate Change and Sea Level Rise ...........................307
Sources of Information About Climate Change and Sea Level Rise ...........................................316
Demographic Data .......................................................................................................................332
About Responsive Management ..................................................................................................380
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 1
INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY
This study was conducted for the State of Delaware and the Delaware Sea Grant College
Program to determine residents’ opinions on climate change and sea level rise, whether residents
believe they are happening, the perceived threats posed by them, and opinions on the potential
mitigative actions that could taken. The study entailed a telephone survey of Delaware residents
18 years old and older. Specific aspects of the research methodology are discussed below.
USE OF TELEPHONES FOR THE SURVEY
For the survey, telephones were selected as the preferred sampling medium because of the
almost universal ownership of telephones among Delaware residents (both landlines and cell
phones were called in their proper proportions). Additionally, telephone surveys, relative to mail
or Internet surveys, allow for more scientific sampling and data collection, provide higher quality
data, obtain higher response rates, are more timely, and are more cost-effective. Telephone
surveys also have fewer negative effects on the environment than do mail surveys because of
reduced use of paper and reduced energy consumption for delivering and returning the
questionnaires.
QUESTIONNAIRE DESIGN
The telephone survey questionnaire was developed cooperatively by Responsive Management
and Delaware research team, based in part on a similar survey administered in 2009. Responsive
Management conducted pre-tests of the questionnaire to ensure proper wording, flow, and logic
in the survey.
SURVEY SAMPLE
The sample of Delaware residents was obtained from SSI and DatabaseUSA, companies that
specialize in providing scientifically valid samples for surveys. The sample was stratified in two
ways: by county, with a goal of 500 completed interviews per county, and by cell
phone/landline, with these being sampled proportionally in each county so that cell phones and
landlines would be in their proper proportions. For statewide results, the sample was weighted to
be representative of all residents across the state 18 years old and older.
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TELEPHONE INTERVIEWING FACILITIES
A central polling site at the Responsive Management office allowed for rigorous quality control
over the interviews and data collection. Responsive Management maintains its own in-house
telephone interviewing facilities. These facilities are staffed by interviewers with experience
conducting computer-assisted telephone interviews on the subjects of outdoor recreation and
natural resources.
To ensure the integrity of the telephone survey data, Responsive Management has interviewers
who have been trained according to the standards established by the Council of American Survey
Research Organizations. Methods of instruction included lecture and role-playing. The Survey
Center Managers and other professional staff conducted a project briefing with the interviewers
prior to the administration of this survey. Interviewers were instructed on type of study, study
goals and objectives, handling of survey questions, interview length, termination points and
qualifiers for participation, interviewer instructions within the survey questionnaire, reading of
the survey questions, skip patterns, and probing and clarifying techniques necessary for specific
questions on the survey questionnaire.
INTERVIEWING DATES AND TIMES
Telephone surveying times are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Saturday
from noon to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., local time. A five-callback
design was used to maintain the representativeness of the sample, to avoid bias toward people
easy to reach by telephone, and to provide an equal opportunity for all to participate. When a
respondent could not be reached on the first call, subsequent calls were placed on different days
of the week and at different times of the day. The survey was conducted in August 2014.
TELEPHONE SURVEY DATA COLLECTION AND QUALITY CONTROL
The software used for data collection was Questionnaire Programming Language (QPL). The
survey data were entered into the computer as each interview was being conducted, eliminating
manual data entry after the completion of the survey and the concomitant data entry errors that
may occur with manual data entry. The survey questionnaire was programmed so that QPL
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 3
branched, coded, and substituted phrases in the survey based on previous responses to ensure the
integrity and consistency of the data collection.
The Survey Center Managers and statisticians monitored the data collection, including
monitoring of the actual telephone interviews without the interviewers’ knowledge, to evaluate
the performance of each interviewer and ensure the integrity of the data. The survey
questionnaire itself contains error checkers and computation statements to ensure quality and
consistent data. After the surveys were obtained by the interviewers, the Survey Center
Managers and/or statisticians checked each completed survey to ensure clarity and completeness.
Responsive Management obtained a total of 1,508 completed interviews.
DATA ANALYSIS
The analysis of data was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences as well as
proprietary software developed by Responsive Management. The results were weighted by
demographic and geographic characteristics in each county and then by county population for
statewide results, so that the sample was representative of residents of Delaware as a whole.
Crosstabulations were run on many questions by county of residence and by coastal/non-coastal
residency. For each question, these graphs are in the body of the report following the main graph
of the question. Additionally, trends based on the aforementioned 2009 survey are included on
some questions.
SAMPLING ERROR
Throughout this report, findings of the telephone survey are reported at a 95% confidence
interval. The sampling errors for all residents and the various subsamples are shown in the
tabulation that follows. Sampling error was calculated using the formula described after the
tabulation.
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Sample Sizes and Sampling Errors
Sample Number in Sample Population Sampling Error
Overall (all State
Residents) 1,508 692,169 2.52
Half the Sample* 754 692,169 3.57
New Castle County 506 413,400 4.35
Kent County 500 121,931 4.37
Sussex County 502 156,838 4.37
Coastal Residents** 309 141,895 5.57
Non-Coastal
Residents** 1,199 550,274 2.83
*Because the survey was long, in some places the sample was randomly split, with half the sample getting some
questions and the other half getting other questions. This shows the sampling error on a random half of the sample.
**This categorization was based on the subjective opinion of the respondent, who was asked if he/she lived in a
coastal or non-coastal area. Based on the proportions who say that they are coastal/non-coastal, an estimated
population was calculated and then the sampling error was determined.
Sampling Error Equation
( )
( )96.11
25.25.
−
−
=p
s
p
N
N
N
B
Derived from formula: p. 206 in Dillman, D. A. 2000. Mail and Internet Surveys. John Wiley & Sons, NY.
Note: This is a simplified version of the formula that calculates the maximum sampling error using a 50:50
split (the most conservative calculation because a 50:50 split would give maximum variation).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PRESENTATION OF RESULTS IN THE REPORT
In examining the results, it is important to be aware that the questionnaire included several types
of questions:
• Open-ended questions are those in which no answer set is read to the respondents; rather,
they can respond with anything that comes to mind from the question.
• Closed-ended questions have an answer set from which to choose.
• Single or multiple response questions: Some questions allow only a single response,
while other questions allow respondents to give more than one response or choose all that
apply. Those that allow more than a single response are indicated on the graphs with the
label, “Multiple Responses Allowed.”
• Scaled questions: Many closed-ended questions (but not all) are in a scale, such as
excellent-good-fair-poor.
Where: B = maximum sampling error (as decimal)
NP = population size (i.e., total number who could be surveyed)
NS = sample size (i.e., total number of respondents surveyed)
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 5
• Series questions: Many questions are part of a series, and the results are primarily
intended to be examined relative to the other questions in that series (although results of
the questions individually can also be valuable). Typically, results of all questions in a
series are shown together.
Most graphs show results rounded to the nearest integer; however, all data are stored in decimal
format, and all calculations are performed on unrounded numbers. For this reason, some results
may not sum to exactly 100% because of this rounding on the graphs. Additionally, rounding
may cause apparent discrepancies of 1 percentage point between the graphs and the reported
results of combined responses (e.g., when “strongly support” and “moderately support” are
summed to determine the total percentage in support).
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PERCEPTIONS OF IMPORTANT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
� To test where climate change and sea level rise rank in the concerns that Delaware residents
have, the survey presented a list of seven areas of possible concern and asked residents to
indicate if they were very concerned, somewhat concerned, or not at all concerned about
each. Both climate change and sea level rise are the lowest ranked of the items. While a
majority of residents are very concerned about the economy (72% are very concerned), public
education (69%), health care (67%), crime rates (62%), and the environment (60%), less than
a majority are very concerned about climate change (41%) and sea level rise (25%).
• Two other graphs of statewide results are included along with the percentages who are
very concerned: the percentages who are very or somewhat concerned, and the
percentages who are not at all concerned. The “not at all” graph shows that about a fifth
to a quarter of Delaware residents are not at all concerned about climate change or sea
level rise.
• In the trends analysis, the percentage of Delaware residents who are very concerned about
sea level rise decreased (from 30% in 2009 to 25% in 2014), and this change is
statistically significant at p ≤ 0.05, meaning the correlation would happen by chance only
5 out of 100 times. Although the percentage of those very concerned about climate
change increased (36% to 41%), this change is not statistically significant. For the other
items on the list, the percentage of those who are very concerned decreased for health
care and the economy and increased for public education, crime rates, and the
environment.
o This list was presented to a random half of the sample; the other half received the list
discussed below.
� Similar to the above question, the survey presented a list of nine possible environmental
concerns and asked residents to rate their concern (very, somewhat, or not at all). Again,
climate change (the 7th ranked) and sea level rise (the 9th ranked) are low on the ranking by
very concerned. A majority of residents are very concerned about water pollution (71%),
toxic waste (68%), air quality (61%), loss of forest habitat (54%), and declining fish and
wildlife populations (52%). This compares to 43% being very concerned about climate
change and 36% being very concerned about sea level rise.
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 7
• Two other graphs of statewide results are included along with the percentages who are
very concerned: the percentages who are very or somewhat concerned, and the
percentages who are not at all concerned. The “not at all” graph shows that about a
quarter of Delaware residents are not at all concerned about climate change or sea level
rise.
• In the trends analysis, the percentage of Delaware residents who are very concerned
increased for both sea level rise (32% in 2009 to 36% in 2014) and climate change (from
36% to 43%) while decreasing for each other item on the list with the exception of the
loss of marsh or wetlands, which remained approximately the same. It is important to
note that the increases in the percentage of those who are very concerned about sea level
rise and climate change are not statistically significant. While the percentage of those
who are very concerned increased for both, note that overall concern (very and somewhat
concerned combined) did not change substantially for sea level rise, climate change, nor
any other item on the list.
o This list was presented to a random half of the sample; the other half received the list
discussed above.
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72
69
67
62
60
41
25
0 20 40 60 80 100
The economy
Public education
Health care
Crime rates
The environment
Climate change
Sea level rise
Percent
Q14-Q20. Percent of respondents who are very concerned about each of the following in the
U.S.
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 9
96
93
92
92
91
78
66
0 20 40 60 80 100
The economy
Public education
Health care
The environment
Crime rates
Climate change
Sea level rise
Percent
Q14-Q20. Percent of respondents who are very or somewhat concerned about each of the
following in the U.S.
10 Responsive Management
28
20
8
8
8
5
4
0 20 40 60 80 100
Sea level rise
Climate change
Crime rates
Theenvironment
Health care
Publiceducation
The economy
Percent
Q14-Q20. Percent of respondents who are not at all concerned about each of the following in the
U.S.
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 11
72
72
67
62
61
44
26
70
75
66
56
63
35
23
60
69
70
59
63
38
25
0 20 40 60 80 100
Public education
The economy
Health care
The environment
Crime rates
Climate change
Sea level rise
Percent
Q14-Q20. Percent of respondents who are very concerned about each of the following in the
U.S.
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
12 Responsive Management
96
94
93
92
90
81
69
96
93
88
90
92
74
64
96
93
92
92
95
73
62
0 20 40 60 80 100
The economy
Public education
Health care
Crime rates
The environment
Climate change
Sea level rise
Percent
Q14-Q20. Percent of respondents who are very or somewhat concerned about each of the
following in the U.S.
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 13
27
16
9
8
7
5
4
31
25
7
9
12
6
4
31
27
5
7
8
5
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
Sea level rise
Climate change
The environment
Crime rates
Health care
Public education
The economy
Percent
Q14-Q20. Percent of respondents who are not at all concerned about each of the following in the
U.S.
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
14 Responsive Management
72
71
64
64
60
54
33
72
67
60
61
72
38
24
0 20 40 60 80 100
The economy
Health care
Theenvironment
Crime rates
Publiceducation
Climate change
Sea level rise
Percent
Q14-Q20. Percent of respondents who are very concerned about each of the following in the
U.S.
Coastal
Non-coastal
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 15
96
95
95
91
89
80
75
91
96
91
94
93
78
65
0 20 40 60 80 100
Crime rates
The economy
Theenvironment
Publiceducation
Health care
Climate change
Sea level rise
Percent
Q14-Q20. Percent of respondents who are very or somewhat concerned about each of the
following in the U.S.
Coastal
Non-coastal
16 Responsive Management
23
20
11
7
5
4
4
29
20
7
4
8
3
9
0 20 40 60 80 100
Sea level rise
Climate change
Health care
Public education
The environment
The economy
Crime rates
Percent
Q14-Q20. Percent of respondents who are not at all concerned about each of the following in the
U.S.
Coastal
Non-coastal
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 17
54.2
52.0
51.0
51.0
49.1
46.6
46.1
45.0
44.3
42.8
42.6
41.5
41.2
41.1
40.2
38.5
38.0
35.8
35.4
35.2
33.7
32.5
16.8
12.5
0 20 40 60 80 100
Lives in a coastal area
Has taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climate change
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about sea level rise
Is completely or mostly convinced that sea levels are rising
Is completely or mostly convinced that climate change ishappening
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about climatechange
Female
Disagrees that there is enough available information aboutsea level rise
Lives in New Castle County
Education level is at least a bachelor's degree
Younger than the median age (48)
Total
Agrees that there is enough available information about sealevel rise
Education level is less than bachelor's degree
Median age (48) or older
Lives in a non-coastal area
Lives in Sussex County
Male
Knows a little or nothing about sea level rise
Lives in Kent County
Has not taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climatechange
Knows a little or nothing about climate change
Is not so or not at all convinced that sea levels are rising
Is not so or not at all convinced that climate change ishappening
Percent
Percent who are very concerned about climate change as a national issue:
18 Responsive Management
The graph on the previous page shows the demographic and attitudinal groups that are either
more (above the striped bar) or less (below the striped bar) concerned about climate change as a
national issue relative to residents as a whole. Overall, 41.5% of Delaware residents are very
concerned about climate change as a national issue (striped bar). Those groups more inclined to
be very concerned are above that bar (for instance, 54.2% of those who live in a coastal area are
very concerned); those groups less inclined to be very concerned are below that bar (for instance,
only 35.2% of Kent County residents are very concerned).
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 19
37.5
33.5
32.9
32.6
30.9
29.6
28.0
27.6
26.7
26.6
26.5
25.3
24.5
24.0
24.0
23.8
23.3
22.8
22.6
20.2
18.4
17.0
5.8
5.3
0 20 40 60 80 100
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about sea levelrise
Is completely or mostly convinced that sea levels are rising
Lives in a coastal area
Has taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climatechange
Is completely or mostly convinced that climate change ishappening
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about climatechange
Median age (48) or older
Disagrees that there is enough available information aboutsea level rise
Education level is less than bachelor's degree
Female
Lives in New Castle County
Total
Lives in Sussex County
Male
Lives in a non-coastal area
Education level is at least a bachelor's degree
Agrees that there is enough available information about sealevel rise
Younger than the median age (48)
Lives in Kent County
Has not taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climatechange
Knows a little or nothing about climate change
Knows a little or nothing about sea level rise
Is not so or not at all convinced that sea levels are rising
Is not so or not at all convinced that climate change ishappening
Percent
Percent who are very concerned about sea level rise as a national issue:
20 Responsive Management
The graph on the previous page shows the demographic and attitudinal groups that are either
more (above the striped bar) or less (below the striped bar) concerned about sea level rise as a
national issue relative to residents as a whole. Overall, 25.3% of Delaware residents are very
concerned about sea level rise as a national issue (striped bar). Those groups more inclined to be
very concerned are above that bar (for instance, 32.9% of those who live in a coastal area are
very concerned); those groups less inclined to be very concerned are below that bar (for instance,
only 22.6% of Kent County residents are very concerned).
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 21
65
29
60
69
24
52
0
20
40
60
80
100
Very concerned Somewhat concerned Not at all concerned Don't know
Perc
en
tQ14. Thinking about issues that the country faces, how concerned are you about public education in the U.S.?
2009
2014
22 Responsive Management
72
22
61
67
24
8
00
20
40
60
80
100
Very concerned Somewhatconcerned
Not at all concerned Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q15. Thinking about issues that the country faces, how concerned are you about health care in the U.S.?
2009
2014
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 23
52
42
60
62
30
8
00
20
40
60
80
100
Very concerned Somewhat concerned Not at all concerned Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q16. Thinking about issues that the country faces, how concerned are you about crime rates in the U.S.?
2009
2014
24 Responsive Management
30
38
29
3
25
41
28
5
0
20
40
60
80
100
Very concerned Somewhat concerned Not at all concerned Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q17. Thinking about issues that the country faces, how concerned are you about sea level rise in the U.S.?
2009
2014
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 25
75
22
2 1
72
24
40
0
20
40
60
80
100
Very concerned Somewhat concerned Not at all concerned Don't know
Perc
en
tQ18. Thinking about issues that the country faces, how
concerned are you about the economy in the U.S.?
2009
2014
26 Responsive Management
55
37
7
1
60
31
8
00
20
40
60
80
100
Very concerned Somewhat concerned Not at all concerned Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q19. Thinking about issues that the country faces, how concerned are you about the environment in the U.S.?
2009
2014
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 27
36 37
25
2
4137
20
2
0
20
40
60
80
100
Very concerned Somewhat concerned Not at all concerned Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q20. Thinking about issues that the country faces, how concerned are you about climate change in the U.S.?
2009
2014
28 Responsive Management
71
68
61
54
52
45
43
38
36
0 20 40 60 80 100
Water pollution
Toxic waste
Air quality
Loss of foresthabitat
Declining fish andwildlife populations
Loss of marsh orwetlands
Climate change
Flooding
Sea level rise
Percent
Q23-Q31. Percent of respondents who are very concerned about each of the following in
Delaware.
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 29
94
92
89
86
84
81
74
73
69
0 20 40 60 80 100
Water pollution
Toxic waste
Air quality
Loss of foresthabitat
Declining fish andwildlife populations
Loss of marsh orwetlands
Flooding
Climate change
Sea level rise
Percent
Q23-Q31. Percent of respondents who are very or somewhat concerned about each of the
following in Delaware.
30 Responsive Management
28
26
25
16
12
12
10
7
5
0 20 40 60 80 100
Sea level rise
Climate change
Flooding
Loss of marsh orwetlands
Declining fish andwildlife populations
Loss of foresthabitat
Air quality
Toxic waste
Water pollution
Percent
Q23-Q31. Percent of respondents who are not at all concerned about each of the following in
Delaware.
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 31
74
70
65
54
51
48
44
42
35
69
68
61
53
52
36
43
32
35
64
60
52
55
53
38
50
34
38
0 20 40 60 80 100
Water pollution
Toxic waste
Air quality
Loss of foresthabitat
Declining fish andwildlife populations
Climate change
Loss of marsh orwetlands
Flooding
Sea level rise
Percent
Q23-Q31. Percent of respondents who are very concerned about each of the following in
Delaware.
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
32 Responsive Management
96
93
92
86
85
82
75
73
66
94
91
88
86
82
79
68
75
72
90
88
84
86
84
79
76
71
73
0 20 40 60 80 100
Water pollution
Toxic waste
Air quality
Loss of foresthabitat
Declining fish andwildlife populations
Loss of marsh orwetlands
Flooding
Climate change
Sea level rise
Percent
Q23-Q31. Percent of respondents who are very or somewhat concerned about each of the
following in Delaware.
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 33
30
26
24
15
12
12
8
5
3
24
24
32
17
13
16
12
8
5
26
28
23
17
11
12
16
11
9
0 20 40 60 80 100
Sea level rise
Climate change
Flooding
Loss of marsh orwetlands
Loss of foresthabitat
Declining fish andwildlife populations
Air quality
Toxic waste
Water pollution
Percent
Q23-Q31. Percent of respondents who are not at all concerned about each of the following in
Delaware.
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
34 Responsive Management
71
69
65
62
61
51
51
50
45
70
68
48
61
50
42
41
35
32
0 20 40 60 80 100
Water pollution
Toxic waste
Declining fish andwildlife populations
Air quality
Loss of forest habitat
Loss of marsh orwetlands
Climate change
Flooding
Sea level rise
Percent
Q23-Q31. Percent of respondents who are very concerned about each of the following in
Delaware.
Coastal
Non-coastal
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 35
94
91
91
88
84
81
78
75
73
94
88
92
83
86
71
81
71
67
0 20 40 60 80 100
Water pollution
Air quality
Toxic waste
Declining fish andwildlife populations
Loss of foresthabitat
Flooding
Loss of marsh orwetlands
Climate change
Sea level rise
Percent
Q23-Q31. Percent of respondents who are very or somewhat concerned about each of the
following in Delaware.
Coastal
Non-coastal
36 Responsive Management
26
22
18
17
12
9
8
7
5
29
28
28
16
12
14
12
8
5
0 20 40 60 80 100
Sea level rise
Climate change
Flooding
Loss of marsh orwetlands
Loss of foresthabitat
Declining fish andwildlife
populations
Air quality
Toxic waste
Water pollution
Percent
Q23-Q31. Percent of respondents who are not at all concerned about each of the following in
Delaware.
Coastal
Non-coastal
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 37
57.5
52.6
52.6
50.5
49.8
49.7
48.0
47.8
46.3
44.6
43.8
43.7
43.5
42.1
41.9
41.1
39.7
38.2
36.6
36.2
35.5
33.5
14.5
6.8
0 20 40 60 80 100
Has taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climate change
Is completely or mostly convinced that sea levels are rising
Is completely or mostly convinced that climate change ishappening
Lives in a coastal area
Female
Disagrees that there is enough available information aboutsea level rise
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about climatechange
Lives in New Castle County
Education level is less than bachelor's degree
Agrees that there is enough available information about sealevel rise
Median age (48) or older
Knows a little or nothing about sea level rise
Total
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about sea level rise
Younger than the median age (48)
Lives in a non-coastal area
Education level is at least a bachelor's degree
Lives in Sussex County
Male
Knows a little or nothing about climate change
Lives in Kent County
Has not taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climatechange
Is not so or not at all convinced that sea levels are rising
Is not so or not at all convinced that climate change ishappening
Percent
Percent who are very concerned about climate change as an environmental issue in Delaware:
38 Responsive Management
The graph on the previous page shows the demographic and attitudinal groups that are either
more (above the striped bar) or less (below the striped bar) concerned about climate change as an
environmental issue, relative to residents as a whole. Overall, 43.5% of Delaware residents are
very concerned about climate change as an environmental issue (striped bar). Those groups
more inclined to be very concerned are above that bar (for instance, 50.5% of those who live in a
coastal area are very concerned); those groups less inclined to be very concerned are below that
bar (for instance, only 35.5% of Kent County residents are very concerned).
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 39
48.0
45.4
44.9
44.1
41.9
41.6
40.3
40.0
39.9
38.1
37.2
36.0
35.8
35.4
34.9
33.3
31.6
31.0
29.4
29.3
28.7
27.1
13.2
12.8
0 20 40 60 80 100
Has taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climatechange
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about sea levelrise
Lives in a coastal area
Is completely or mostly convinced that sea levels are rising
Is completely or mostly convinced that climate change ishappening
Female
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about climatechange
Agrees that there is enough available information about sealevel rise
Median age (48) or older
Lives in Sussex County
Education level is less than bachelor's degree
Disagrees that there is enough available information aboutsea level rise
Total
Lives in Kent County
Lives in New Castle County
Education level is at least a bachelor's degree
Lives in a non-coastal area
Knows a little or nothing about sea level rise
Male
Younger than the median age (48)
Knows a little or nothing about climate change
Has not taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climatechange
Is not so or not at all convinced that climate change ishappening
Is not so or not at all convinced that sea levels are rising
Percent
Percent who are very concerned about sea level rise as an environmental issue in Delaware:
40 Responsive Management
The graph on the previous page shows the demographic and attitudinal groups that are either
more (above the striped bar) or less (below the striped bar) concerned about sea level rise as an
environmental issue, relative to residents as a whole. Overall, 35.8% of Delaware residents are
very concerned about sea level rise as an environmental issue (striped bar). Those groups more
inclined to be very concerned are above that bar (for instance, 44.9% of those who live in a
coastal area are very concerned); those groups less inclined to be very concerned are below that
bar (for instance, only 29.4% of males are very concerned).
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 41
50.2
45.8
45.7
43.8
43.1
42.8
42.7
42.5
41.5
39.4
39.1
38.2
38.1
37.7
37.7
34.7
34.2
33.1
33.1
32.7
32.0
30.8
16.8
14.8
0 20 40 60 80 100
Lives in a coastal area
Has taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climatechange
Is completely or mostly convinced that sea levels are rising
Is completely or mostly convinced that climate change ishappening
Female
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about climatechange
Median age (48) or older
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about sea levelrise
Lives in New Castle County
Agrees that there is enough available information about sealevel rise
Education level is less than bachelor's degree
Total
Knows a little or nothing about sea level rise
Disagrees that there is enough available information aboutsea level rise
Education level is at least a bachelor's degree
Lives in a non-coastal area
Lives in Sussex County
Younger than the median age (48)
Male
Has not taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climatechange
Lives in Kent County
Knows a little or nothing about climate change
Is not so or not at all convinced that climate change ishappening
Is not so or not at all convinced that sea levels are rising
Percent
Percent who are very concerned about flooding as an environmental issue in Delaware:
42 Responsive Management
The graph on the previous page shows the demographic and attitudinal groups that are either
more (above the striped bar) or less (below the striped bar) concerned about flooding as an
environmental issue, relative to residents as a whole. Overall, 38.2% of Delaware residents are
very concerned about flooding as an environmental issue (striped bar). Those groups more
inclined to be very concerned are above that bar (for instance, 50.2% of those who live in a
coastal area are very concerned); those groups less inclined to be very concerned are below that
bar (for instance, only 32.0% of Kent County residents are very concerned).
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 43
76
17
6
0
71
23
51
0
20
40
60
80
100
Very concerned Somewhat concerned Not at all concerned Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q23. Thinking specifically about environmental issues, how concerned are you about water pollution in
Delaware?
2009
2014
44 Responsive Management
72
19
72
68
24
7
1
0
20
40
60
80
100
Very concerned Somewhatconcerned
Not at all concerned Don't know
Perc
en
tQ24. Thinking specifically about environmental issues, how concerned are you about toxic waste in Delaware?
2009
2014
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 45
65
22
12
1
61
28
10
00
20
40
60
80
100
Very concerned Somewhat concerned Not at all concerned Don't know
Perc
en
tQ25. Thinking specifically about environmental issues, how concerned are you about air quality in Delaware?
2009
2014
46 Responsive Management
36 35
27
2
43
2926
1
0
20
40
60
80
100
Very concerned Somewhat concerned Not at all concerned Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q26. Thinking specifically about environmental issues, how concerned are you about climate change in
Delaware?
2009
2014
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 47
42
35
23
1
38 36
25
10
20
40
60
80
100
Very concerned Somewhat concerned Not at all concerned Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q27. Thinking specifically about environmental issues, how concerned are you about flooding in Delaware?
2009
2014
48 Responsive Management
54
30
13
2
52
33
12
3
0
20
40
60
80
100
Very concerned Somewhat concerned Not at all concerned Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q28. Thinking specifically about environmental issues, how concerned are you about declining fish and
wildlife populations in Delaware?
2009
2014
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 49
45
34
18
3
45
36
16
4
0
20
40
60
80
100
Very concerned Somewhat concerned Not at all concerned Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q29. Thinking specifically about environmental issues, how concerned are you about loss of marsh or
wetlands in Delaware?
2009
2014
50 Responsive Management
58
28
12
2
54
32
12
2
0
20
40
60
80
100
Very concerned Somewhatconcerned
Not at all concerned Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q30. Thinking specifically about environmental issues, how concerned are you about loss of forest habitat in
Delaware?
2009
2014
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 51
32 3530
3
3633
28
3
0
20
40
60
80
100
Very concerned Somewhat concerned Not at all concerned Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q31. Thinking specifically about environmental issues, how concerned are you about sea level rise in
Delaware?
2009
2014
52 Responsive Management
KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND SEA LEVEL RISE
� Two questions asked residents to rate their knowledge about climate change and sea level
rise. They claim to know a bit more about climate change than sea level rise.
• Most Delaware residents say that they know at least a moderate amount about climate
change: 62% say that they know either a great deal (14%) or a moderate amount (48%).
At the other end, 32% claim to know a little, and only 5% say that they know nothing.
• In looking at knowledge of sea level rise, 41% of residents say that they know a great
deal or moderate amount; meanwhile, 58% say that they know a little or nothing.
o The trends analysis found that self-professed knowledge levels regarding climate
change dropped slightly from 2009 to 2014: 70% reported knowing at least a
moderate amount about climate change in 2009 compared to 62% in 2014, while the
percentage reporting they know a little increased from 25% to 32%. The increase in
those reporting they know a little is statistically significant at p ≤ 0.01, meaning the
correlation would happen by chance only 1 out of 100 times. The self-reported
knowledge levels regarding sea level rise are about the same as they were in 2009.
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 53
14
48
32
5
0
11
30
39
19
1
0 20 40 60 80 100
A great deal
A moderateamount
A little
Nothing
Don't know
Percent
Q34/Q56. How much would you say you know about [climate change / sea level rise]?
Climate change
Sea level rise
54 Responsive Management
15
49
32
4
0
11
46
38
5
1
16
48
30
6
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
A great deal
A moderate amount
A little
Nothing
Don't know
Percent
Q34. How much would you say you know about climate change?
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 55
20
43
30
6
1
13
49
34
4
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
A great deal
A moderateamount
A little
Nothing
Don't know
Percent
Q34. How much would you say you know about climate change?
Coastal Non-coastal
56 Responsive Management
88.0
71.1
70.3
67.1
67.0
66.8
64.4
64.3
63.6
63.6
63.4
62.3
61.6
59.9
58.3
58.0
56.7
56.6
56.2
56.1
52.4
43.8
0 20 40 60 80 100
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about sea level rise
Education level is at least a bachelor's degree
Has taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climate change
Male
Is completely or mostly convinced that sea levels are rising
Median age (48) or older
Is completely or mostly convinced that climate change ishappening
Agrees that there is enough available information about sealevel rise
Lives in Sussex County
Lives in New Castle County
Lives in a coastal area
Total
Lives in a non-coastal area
Disagrees that there is enough available information aboutsea level rise
Younger than the median age (48)
Female
Has not taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climatechange
Lives in Kent County
Education level is less than bachelor's degree
Is not so or not at all convinced that climate change ishappening
Is not so or not at all convinced that sea levels are rising
Knows a little or nothing about sea level rise
Percent
Percent stating they know a great deal or a moderate amount about climate change:
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 57
The graph on the previous page shows the demographic and attitudinal groups that are either
more (above the striped bar) or less (below the striped bar) likely to say that they know a great
deal or moderate amount about climate change, relative to residents as a whole. Overall, 62.3%
of Delaware residents say that they know a great deal or moderate amount about climate change
(striped bar). Those groups more inclined to say that they know a great deal or moderate amount
are above that bar (for instance, 67.1% of males say this); those groups less inclined to say that
they know a great deal or moderate amount are below that bar (for instance, only 56.6% of Kent
County residents say this).
58 Responsive Management
16
54
25
50
14
48
32
50
0
20
40
60
80
100
A great deal A moderateamount
A little Nothing Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q34. How much would you say you know about climate change?
2009
2014
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 59
11
30
39
20
0
9
28
39
22
1
11
33
40
14
1
0 20 40 60 80 100
A great deal
A moderateamount
A little
Nothing
Don't know
Percent
Q56. How much would you say you know about sea level rise?
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
60 Responsive Management
17
35
37
10
1
10
29
40
22
1
0 20 40 60 80 100
A great deal
A moderate amount
A little
Nothing
Don't know
Percent
Q56. How much would you say you know about sea level rise?
Coastal Non-coastal
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 61
58.0
52.2
49.6
49.3
48.3
47.0
46.7
45.7
43.9
42.6
40.8
40.8
38.1
37.4
37.3
34.9
34.7
34.7
33.5
33.5
26.9
13.0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about climatechange
Lives in a coastal area
Male
Education level is at least a bachelor's degree
Is completely or mostly convinced that sea levels are rising
Median age (48) or older
Agrees that there is enough available information about sealevel rise
Has taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climate change
Lives in Sussex County
Is completely or mostly convinced that climate change ishappening
Total
Lives in New Castle County
Lives in a non-coastal area
Has not taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climatechange
Lives in Kent County
Younger than the median age (48)
Disagrees that there is enough available information about sealevel rise
Education level is less than bachelor's degree
Is not so or not at all convinced that climate change ishappening
Female
Is not so or not at all convinced that sea levels are rising
Knows a little or nothing about climate change
Percent
Percent stating they know a great deal or a moderate amount about sea level rise:
62 Responsive Management
The graph on the previous page shows the demographic and attitudinal groups that are either
more (above the striped bar) or less (below the striped bar) likely to say that they know a great
deal or moderate amount about sea level rise, relative to residents as a whole. Overall, 40.8% of
Delaware residents say that they know a great deal or moderate amount about sea level rise
(striped bar). Those groups more inclined to say that they know a great deal or moderate amount
are above that bar (for instance, 52.2% of those who live in a coastal area say this); those groups
less inclined to say that they know a great deal or moderate amount are below that bar (for
instance, only 33.5% of females say this).
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 63
9
31
40
19
1
11
30
39
19
10
20
40
60
80
100
A great deal A moderateamount
A little Nothing Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q56. How much would you say you know about sea level rise?
2009
2014
64 Responsive Management
OPINION ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND SEA LEVEL RISE AND WHETHER THEY ARE HAPPENING
� Section summary: This section includes several questions that probe Delaware residents’
beliefs regarding climate change and concomitant sea level rise; with so many related
questions, this summary is included. Residents fall into three camps: deniers/the
misinformed (making up about a quarter of residents), those on the fence, so to speak
(making up about a third), and those who think that climate change and sea level rise are
happening (making up just under half). Note that the questions discussed below were
randomized; some respondents received some questions, and other respondents received
other questions, although all of them received Question 38 about whether climate change is
happening.
• The deniers/misinformed are the 20% who are not so or not at all convinced that climate
change is happening, and the 26% who are not so or not at all convinced that sea level
rise is happening. They include all of the 3% who say that most scientists think climate
change is not happening, and a portion of the 31% who say that there is a lot of
disagreement among scientists about whether it is happening.
• The middle ground consists of those who are convinced that climate change and sea level
rise are happening but are only mostly convinced (rather than completely convinced).
This group consists of the 32% who are mostly convinced about climate change and the
31% who are mostly convinced about sea level rise. Some of this group say that there is
a lot of disagreement among scientists about whether it is happening, while some know
that most scientists think climate change is happening.
• The final group are those who think that climate change and sea level rise are happening.
This group consists of those who are completely convinced that climate change (46%)
and sea level rise (39%) are happening and the 49% who say that most scientists think
climate change is happening.
o The survey questions that made up this section summary are discussed on the
following pages.
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 65
� In basic questions, the survey directly asked residents about their opinions on whether
climate change and sea level rise are happening.
• Regarding climate change, 20% of Delaware residents say that they are not so convinced
or not at all convinced that climate change is happening. At the other end, 79% are
completely or mostly convinced; however, a substantial portion of that consists of
residents who are only mostly convinced (46% are completely and 32% are mostly
convinced—rounding on the graph causes the apparent discrepancy in the sum, which is
79% when calculated on unrounded numbers).
o In the trends analysis, the percentages of Delaware residents who say they are
completely convinced climate change is happening increased: 40% said they were
completely convinced in 2009 compared to 46% in 2014; however, this increase is not
statistically significant.
• Likewise, 26% of residents are not so convinced or not at all convinced that sea levels are
rising; 70% are completely or mostly convinced, the latter split between completely
convinced (39%) and mostly convinced (31%).
o Although the percentage of Delaware residents who are completely convinced that sea
levels are rising remains lower than the percentage who are completely convinced
that climate change is happening, the trends analysis shows a substantial increase in
the percentage who are completely convinced that sea levels are rising from 2009 to
2014: 29% in 2009 compared to 39% in 2014. The increases in the percentage of
those who are completely convinced as well as the overall percentage of those who
are completely or mostly convinced (from 63% to 70% combined) are both
statistically significant at p ≤ 0.01, meaning the correlation would happen by chance
only 1 out of 100 times.
o The survey included another way to assess opinion on whether climate change is
happening. The survey asked residents if they agree or disagree that “Scientists are
right that climate change is occurring”: while the majority of residents agree (83%), a
substantial percentage (11%) disagree. In sum, 17% do not agree (they respond
neutrally, that they disagree, or that they do not know). The trends analysis shows
that the percentage of Delaware residents who strongly agree that “Scientists are right
that climate change is occurring” increased from 51% in 2009 to 58% in 2014;
66 Responsive Management
however, the overall increase in agreement (strongly and moderately combined) with
this statement is not statistically significant.
o Another question asked residents to say, regardless of their personal views, whether
or not most scientists think climate change is happening (the overwhelming majority
of climate scientists think climate change is happening). Misinformation is rampant,
as 31% say that there is a lot of disagreement among scientists about whether it is
happening or not, and another 3% say that most scientists think climate change is not
happening. Only 49% of residents correctly say that most scientists think that climate
change is happening. In the trends analysis, the percentage who say most scientists
think climate change is happening increased (from 42% to 49%); while this increase
is not statistically significant, the decrease among those who say there is a lot of
disagreement and the increase among those who say they don’t know enough to say
are each statistically significant at p ≤ 0.01, meaning the correlation would happen by
chance only 1 out of 100 times.
o A follow-up question asked residents to say whether climate change, if it is indeed
happening, is caused mostly by human activities, mostly by natural changes in the
environment, or both about equally. Most commonly, residents say it is caused
mostly by human activities (41%), while 24% say mostly natural causes, and 29% say
both about equally.
o Another question asked if residents agree or disagree that “Climate change is
contributing to the rise in sea levels.” The majority (79%) agree, but 11% disagree.
(The remainder answer neutrally or do not know.) The percentage who strongly
agree that “Climate change is contributing to the rise in sea levels” increased (from
52% in 2009 to 57% in 2014), but it is not a statistically significant change.
� The survey delved into personal experiences with climate change and sea level rise, asking
residents if they agree or disagree that they have personally experienced the impacts of
climate change and sea level rise.
• A slight majority agree that they have “personally experienced or observed local impacts
of climate change” (53%), but 40% disagree. (The remainder answer neutrally or do not
know.)
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 67
• Just over a quarter agree that they have “personally experienced the impacts of sea level
rise” (28%), but the majority disagree (66%). (The remainder answer neutrally or do not
know.)
o In the trends analysis, the percentage of those who agree (strongly or moderately
combined) that they have personally experienced the impacts of sea level rise
increased substantially from 22% in 2009 to 30% in 2014. This increase is
statistically significant at p ≤ 0.01, meaning the correlation would happen by chance
only 1 out of 100 times.
68 Responsive Management
46
32
13
7
1
39
31
17
9
5
0 20 40 60 80 100
Completelyconvinced
Mostly convinced
Not so convinced
Not at all convinced
Don't know
Percent
Q38/Q58. How convinced are you that [climate change is happening / sea levels are rising]?
Would you say you are completely convinced, mostly convinced, not so convinced, or not at
all convinced?
Climate change ishappening
Sea levels are rising
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 69
48
33
12
6
0
49
29
14
7
1
39
33
15
11
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Completely convinced
Mostly convinced
Not so convinced
Not at all convinced
Don't know
Percent
Q38. How convinced are you that climate change is happening? Would you say you are
completely convinced, mostly convinced, not so convinced, or not at all convinced?
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
70 Responsive Management
50
31
9
9
1
45
33
14
7
1
0 20 40 60 80 100
Completelyconvinced
Mostly convinced
Not so convinced
Not at allconvinced
Don't know
Percent
Q38. How convinced are you that climate change is happening? Would you say you are
completely convinced, mostly convinced, not so convinced, or not at all convinced?
Coastal Non-coastal
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 71
91.4
90.7
84.3
84.1
83.2
81.5
81.4
81.3
81.1
80.6
79.6
78.8
78.1
78.0
77.8
77.3
76.5
74.6
74.0
72.6
70.0
46.0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Has taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climatechange
Is completely or mostly convinced that sea levels are rising
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about sea levelrise
Disagrees that there is enough available information aboutsea level rise
Female
Lives in New Castle County
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about climatechange
Lives in a coastal area
Younger than the median age (48)
Education level is at least a bachelor's degree
Agrees that there is enough available information about sealevel rise
Total
Knows a little or nothing about sea level rise
Lives in a non-coastal area
Lives in Kent County
Education level is less than bachelor's degree
Median age (48) or older
Knows a little or nothing about climate change
Male
Lives in Sussex County
Has not taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climatechange
Is not so or not at all convinced that sea levels are rising
Percent
Percent who are (completely or mostly) convinced climate change is happening:
72 Responsive Management
The graph on the previous page shows the demographic and attitudinal groups that are either
more (above the striped bar) or less (below the striped bar) likely to say that they are completely
or mostly convinced that climate change is happening, relative to residents as a whole. Overall,
78.8% of Delaware residents are completely or mostly convinced that climate change is
happening (striped bar). Those groups more inclined to say so are above that bar (for instance,
83.2% of females say that they are completely or mostly convinced); those groups less inclined
to say so are below that bar (for instance, only 74.0% of males are completely or mostly
convinced).
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 73
40
30
17
10
3
46
32
13
7
10
20
40
60
80
100
Completelyconvinced
Mostly convinced Not so convinced Not at allconvinced
Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q38. How convinced are you that climate change is happening?
2009
2014
74 Responsive Management
39
31
17
8
5
40
30
17
8
5
38
31
16
11
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
Completely convinced
Mostly convinced
Not so convinced
Not at all convinced
Don't know
Percent
Q58. How convinced are you that sea levels are rising? Would you say you are completely
convinced, mostly convinced, not so convinced, or not at all convinced?
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 75
47
26
14
10
3
38
32
17
8
5
0 20 40 60 80 100
Completelyconvinced
Mostly convinced
Not so convinced
Not at all convinced
Don't know
Percent
Q58. How convinced are you that sea levels are rising? Would you say you are completely
convinced, mostly convinced, not so convinced, or not at all convinced?
Coastal Non-coastal
76 Responsive Management
84.1
80.6
80.3
77.2
75.4
73.2
72.9
71.8
71.1
70.8
70.4
70.3
70.2
70.1
69.6
69.6
69.2
69.2
63.0
62.5
61.8
30.5
0 20 40 60 80 100
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about sea level rise
Is completely or mostly convinced that climate change ishappening
Has taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climate change
Agrees that there is enough available information about sealevel rise
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about climatechange
Disagrees that there is enough available information about sealevel rise
Lives in a coastal area
Education level is at least a bachelor's degree
Female
Median age (48) or older
Lives in New Castle County
Younger than the median age (48)
Total
Lives in Kent County
Lives in Sussex County
Lives in a non-coastal area
Education level is less than bachelor's degree
Male
Has not taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climatechange
Knows a little or nothing about sea level rise
Knows a little or nothing about climate change
Is not so or not at all convinced that climate change ishappening
Percent
Percent who are (completely or mostly) convinced sea levels are rising:
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 77
The graph on the previous page shows the demographic and attitudinal groups that are either
more (above the striped bar) or less (below the striped bar) likely to say that they are completely
or mostly convinced that sea level rise is happening, relative to residents as a whole. Overall,
70.2% of Delaware residents are completely or mostly convinced that sea level rise is happening
(striped bar). Those groups more inclined to say so are above that bar (for instance, 72.9% of
those who live in a coastal area say that they are completely or mostly convinced); those groups
less inclined to say so are below that bar (for instance, only 69.2% of males are completely or
mostly convinced).
78 Responsive Management
2934
22
11
5
39
31
17
95
0
20
40
60
80
100
Completelyconvinced
Mostly convinced Not so convinced Not at allconvinced
Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q58. How convinced are you that sea levels are rising?
2009
2014
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 79
58
25
4
4
7
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderatelydisagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q83. Scientists are right that climate change is occurring. (Do you agree or disagree with this
statement?)
80 Responsive Management
62
23
4
5
5
1
49
31
2
6
8
3
52
26
4
3
11
4
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderately disagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q83. Scientists are right that climate change is occurring. (Do you agree or disagree with this
statement?)
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 81
61
26
3
1
7
2
57
25
3
5
7
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderatelydisagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q83. Scientists are right that climate change is occurring. (Do you agree or disagree with this
statement?)
Coastal Non-coastal
82 Responsive Management
94.2
94.2
92.1
89.6
87.2
87.2
86.6
86.5
85.5
85.1
83.3
82.8
82.7
82.6
82.3
82.2
81.2
80.3
80.2
78.1
77.4
76.3
50.0
38.0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Is completely or mostly convinced that sea levels are rising
Is completely or mostly convinced that climate change ishappening
Has taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climatechange
Agrees that there is enough available information about sealevel rise
Female
Younger than the median age (48)
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about sea levelrise
Lives in a coastal area
Education level is at least a bachelor's degree
Lives in New Castle County
Disagrees that there is enough available information aboutsea level rise
Knows a little or nothing about climate change
Total
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about climatechange
Lives in a non-coastal area
Education level is less than bachelor's degree
Knows a little or nothing about sea level rise
Median age (48) or older
Lives in Kent County
Lives in Sussex County
Male
Has not taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climatechange
Is not so or not at all convinced that sea levels are rising
Is not so or not at all convinced that climate change ishappening
Percent
Percent who agree (strongly or moderately) that scientists are right that climate change is
occuring:
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 83
The graph on the previous page shows the demographic and attitudinal groups that are either
more (above the striped bar) or less (below the striped bar) likely to agree that scientists are right
that climate change is occurring, relative to what residents as a whole think. Overall, 82.7% of
Delaware residents agree that scientists are right that climate change is occurring (striped bar).
Those groups more inclined to agree are above that bar (for instance, 87.2% of females agree);
those groups less inclined to agree are below that bar (for instance, only 77.4% of males agree).
84 Responsive Management
51
28
5 58
3
58
25
4 47
2
0
20
40
60
80
100
Stronglyagree
Moderatelyagree
Neither agreenor disagree
Moderatelydisagree
Stronglydisagree
Don't know
Perc
en
tQ83. Do you agree or disagree with this statement:
Scientists are right that climate change is occurring.
2009
2014
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 85
49
31
3
17
0 20 40 60 80 100
Most scientists thinkclimate change is
happening.
There is a lot ofdisagreement among
scientists aboutwhether or not climatechange is happening.
Most scientists thinkclimate change isNOT happening.
I don't feel I knowenough to say.
Percent
Q39. Which of the following statements best describes your own view of climate change?
86 Responsive Management
53
29
2
15
44
31
3
22
42
37
3
18
0 20 40 60 80 100
Most scientists thinkclimate change is
happening.
There is a lot ofdisagreement among
scientists aboutwhether climate change
is happening.
Most scientists thinkclimate change is not
happening.
I don't feel I knowenough to say.
Percent
Q39. Which of the following statements best describes your own view of climate change?
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 87
42
38
1
18
51
30
3
16
0 20 40 60 80 100
Most scientists thinkclimate change is
happening.
There is a lot ofdisagreement among
scientists aboutwhether or not climatechange is happening.
Most scientists thinkclimate change is not
happening.
I don't feel I knowenough to say.
Percent
Q39. Which of the following statements best describes your own view of climate change?
Coastal Non-coastal
88 Responsive Management
42 42
5
12
49
31
3
17
0
20
40
60
80
100
Most scientists thinkclimate change is
happening.
There is a lot ofdisagreement among
scientists aboutwhether or not climatechange is happening.
Most scientists thinkclimate change is not
happening.
I don't feel I knowenough to say.
Perc
en
t
Q39. Which of the following statements best describes your own view of climate change?
2009
2012
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 89
41
24
29
3
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Caused mostly byhuman activities
Caused mostly bynatural changes in the
environment
Caused about equallyby human activities
and natural changes
None of these becauseclimate change isn't
happening
Don't know
Percent
Q40. Please tell me which comes closer to your own view. If climate change is happening, do
you think it is...?
90 Responsive Management
44
23
27
2
0
3
39
28
29
2
1
1
33
25
34
6
0
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Caused mostly byhuman activities
Caused mostly bynatural changes inthe environment
Caused aboutequally by human
activities andnatural changes
None of thesebecause climate
change isn'thappening
Other
Don't know
Percent
Q40. Please tell me which comes closer to your own view. If climate change is happening, do
you think it is...?
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 91
41
19
33
5
0
3
40
26
29
3
1
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Caused mostly byhuman activities
Caused mostly bynatural changes inthe environment
Caused aboutequally by human
activities andnatural changes
None of thesebecause climate
change isn'thappening
Other
Don't know
Percent
Q40. Please tell me which comes closer to your own view. If climate change is happening, do
you think it is...?
Coastal Non-coastal
92 Responsive Management
57
22
4
3
8
5
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderately disagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q98. Climate change is contributing to the rise in sea levels. (Do you agree or disagree with
this statement?)
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 93
63
19
5
3
6
5
48
29
2
4
10
6
49
25
4
3
14
5
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderately disagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q98. Climate change is contributing to the rise in sea levels. (Do you agree or disagree with
this statement?)
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
94 Responsive Management
60
18
4
2
12
5
57
22
5
4
7
6
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderately disagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q98. Climate change is contributing to the rise in sea levels. (Do you agree or disagree with
this statement?)
Coastal
Non-coastal
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 95
90.7
90.6
88.2
86.0
85.5
82.9
82.9
82.7
82.6
81.3
81.3
80.0
79.2
79.0
78.3
78.0
77.0
75.7
74.9
74.8
74.3
50.4
46.4
0 20 40 60 80 100
Is completely or mostly convinced that sea levels are rising
Has taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climatechange
Is completely or mostly convinced that climate change ishappening
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about sea levelrise
Agrees that there is enough available information about sealevel rise
Knows a little or nothing about sea level rise
Female
Disagrees that there is enough available information aboutsea level rise
Younger than the median age (48)
Lives in New Castle County
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about climatechange
Education level is at least a bachelor's degree
Lives in a non-coastal area
Total
Education level is less than bachelor's degree
Lives in a coastal area
Lives in Kent County
Knows a little or nothing about climate change
Male
Median age (48) or older
Lives in Sussex County
Is not so or not at all convinced that sea levels are rising
Is not so or not at all convinced that climate change ishappening
Percent
Percent of each of the following groups who agree (strongly or moderately) that climate
change is contributing to the rise in sea levels:
96 Responsive Management
The graph on the previous page shows the demographic and attitudinal groups that are either
more (above the striped bar) or less (below the striped bar) likely to agree that climate change is
contributing to sea level rise, relative to residents as a whole. Overall, 79.0% of Delaware
residents agree (striped bar). Those groups more inclined to agree are above that bar (for
instance, 82.9% of females agree); those groups less inclined to agree are below that bar (for
instance, only 74.9% of males agree).
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 97
52
23
36
10 7
57
22
4 38
5
0
20
40
60
80
100
Stronglyagree
Moderatelyagree
Neither agreenor disagree
Moderatelydisagree
Stronglydisagree
Don't know
Perc
en
tQ98. Do you agree or disagree with this statement:
Climate change is contributing to the rise in sea levels.
2009
2014
98 Responsive Management
33
20
6
16
24
2
16
12
4
18
48
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderately disagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q84. I have personally experienced or observed local impacts of climate change.
Q99. I have personally experienced the impacts of sea level rise.
(Do you agree or disagree with these statements?)
Climate change
Sea level rise
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 99
34
19
6
14
24
2
29
22
5
16
26
3
31
21
5
19
23
1
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderatelydisagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q84. I have personally experienced or observed local impacts of climate change. (Do you agree
or disagree with this statement?)
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
100 Responsive Management
43
24
4
10
16
2
30
19
6
18
27
1
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderatelydisagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q84. I have personally experienced or observed local impacts of climate change. (Do you agree
or disagree with this statement?)
Coastal Non-coastal
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 101
67.5
66.0
65.2
63.8
61.4
58.0
57.4
56.1
55.3
55.2
54.9
53.5
52.7
52.2
51.6
50.9
50.7
50.1
48.7
44.9
44.0
43.6
19.1
18.6
0 20 40 60 80 100
Lives in a coastal area
Is completely or mostly convinced that sea levels are rising
Has taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climate change
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about sea level rise
Is completely or mostly convinced that climate change ishappening
Disagrees that there is enough available information about sealevel rise
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about climatechange
Agrees that there is enough available information about sealevel rise
Education level is less than bachelor's degree
Female
Younger than the median age (48)
Lives in New Castle County
Total
Lives in Sussex County
Median age (48) or older
Education level is at least a bachelor's degree
Lives in Kent County
Male
Lives in a non-coastal area
Knows a little or nothing about climate change
Has not taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climatechange
Knows a little or nothing about sea level rise
Is not so or not at all convinced that climate change ishappening
Is not so or not at all convinced that sea levels are rising
Percent
Percent who agree (strongly or moderately) that they have personally experienced or observed
local impacts of climate change:
102 Responsive Management
The graph on the previous page shows the demographic and attitudinal groups that are either
more (above the striped bar) or less (below the striped bar) likely to agree that they have
personally experienced or observed local impacts of climate change, relative to residents as a
whole. Overall, 52.7% of Delaware residents agree (striped bar). Those groups more inclined to
agree are above that bar (for instance, 67.5% of those who live in a coastal area agree); those
groups less inclined to agree are below that bar (for instance, only 50.1% of males agree).
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 103
14
11
5
18
50
2
14
15
3
17
50
2
21
14
2
17
45
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderately disagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q99. I have personally experienced the impacts of sea level rise. (Do you agree or disagree with
this statement?)
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
104 Responsive Management
32
15
4
17
30
2
11
11
4
18
54
1
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderately disagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q99. I have personally experienced the impacts of sea level rise. (Do you agree or disagree with
this statement?)
Coastal
Non-coastal
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 105
47.0
35.2
34.8
34.4
33.0
32.8
32.7
30.8
29.4
28.7
28.3
28.2
28.0
27.8
27.5
26.9
26.2
25.6
25.0
24.6
21.9
8.9
6.9
0 20 40 60 80 100
Lives in a coastal area
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about sea level rise
Is completely or mostly convinced that sea levels are rising
Lives in Sussex County
Agrees that there is enough available information about sea…
Disagrees that there is enough available information about…
Is completely or mostly convinced that climate change is…
Has taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climate change
Female
Education level is less than bachelor's degree
Lives in Kent County
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about climate…
Median age (48) or older
Total
Knows a little or nothing about climate change
Younger than the median age (48)
Male
Education level is at least a bachelor's degree
Lives in New Castle County
Knows a little or nothing about sea level rise
Lives in a non-coastal area
Is not so or not at all convinced that climate change is…
Is not so or not at all convinced that sea levels are rising
Percent
Percent of each of the following groups who agree (strongly or moderately) that s/he has
personally experienced the impacts of sea level rise:
106 Responsive Management
The graph on the previous page shows the demographic and attitudinal groups that are either
more (above the striped bar) or less (below the striped bar) likely to agree that they have
personally experienced the impacts of sea level rise, relative to residents as a whole. Overall,
27.8% of Delaware residents agree (striped bar). Those groups more inclined to agree are above
that bar (for instance, 47.0% of those who live in a coastal area agree); those groups less inclined
to agree are below that bar (for instance, only 26.2% of males agree).
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 107
139
1
17
56
3
1612
4
18
48
2
0
20
40
60
80
100
Stronglyagree
Moderatelyagree
Neither agreenor disagree
Moderatelydisagree
Stronglydisagree
Don't know
Perc
en
tQ99. Do you agree or disagree with this statement: I have personally experienced the impacts of sea level
rise.
2009
2014
108 Responsive Management
PERCEPTIONS OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND SEA LEVEL RISE AS A THREAT
� About a fifth of Delaware residents (19%) are complacent about climate change, saying that
climate change as a threat is not very serious or not at all serious. At the other end of the
scale, 34% say it is a somewhat serious threat, and 45% say it is a very serious threat.
• The trends analysis shows a substantial increase in the percentage of those who say
climate change is a very serious threat, increasing from 38% in 2009 to 45% in 2014; this
increase is significant at p ≤ 0.01, meaning the correlation would happen by chance only
1 out of 100 times. The percentage of those who think climate change is a somewhat
serious threat decreased, while opinions that climate change is not very or not at all
serious and “don’t know” responses remained relatively stable, suggesting that perhaps
those who already thought climate change was a somewhat serious threat now progressed
to believing it is a very serious threat.
� A question asked about level of worry about sea level rise: 31% of residents are not at all
worried about sea level rise. Moving up the scale, 24% are only a little worried, 31% are
worried a moderate amount, and 13% are worried a great deal.
• In the trends analysis, the percentages of residents who worry about sea level rise a great
deal and a moderate amount both increased slightly, resulting in a combined increased
from 39% who were worried a great deal or a moderate amount in 2009 to 44% in 2014.
The combined increase is significant at p ≤ 0.05, meaning the correlation would happen
by chance only 5 out of 100 times.
� The survey presented ten items and asked respondents to rate how much of a threat climate
change was to each. The items fall into four tiers:
• The top tier consists of people’ health and Delaware’s agriculture: 45% and 44%,
respectively, say that climate change is a very serious threat to the items.
• The next tier consists of people’s safety and the natural resources of Delaware: 38% and
34% say it is a very serious threat to them.
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 109
• The third tier is made up of Delaware’s economy, Delaware’s infrastructure, and outdoor
recreation in Delaware: 30%, 29%, and 28%, respectively, say climate change is a very
serious threat to these.
• The bottom tier consists of national security, the local community, and people’s homes:
less than 25% think climate change is a very serious threat to these.
� Similar to the above series, another series presented 15 items to residents and asked them to
say how much of a threat sea level rise is to each. In looking at the percentages who think
that sea level rise is a very serious threat, three tiers emerge:
• Two items are at the top substantially ahead of the rest of the items: Delaware’s beaches
and ocean-front cities and towns in Delaware. On these, 57% and 56%, respectively,
think sea level rise is a very serious threat.
• A middle tier consists of 9 of the 15 items, with a quarter to just under half saying sea
level rise is a very serious threat: these include marsh and wetlands areas and riverfront
cities and towns in Delaware, as well as Delaware’s public works systems, its wildlife
populations, its economy, and outdoor recreation in Delaware.
• The bottom tier is people’s local community, themselves, their property, and their
families. Each of these has less than 25% saying that sea level rise is a very serious threat
to it.
o In the trends analysis, the percentages of residents who think sea level rise is a very
serious threat increased the most for river-front cities and towns in Delaware (from
34% in 2009 to 43% in 2014), the State of Delaware (from 33% to 42%), the mid-
Atlantic U.S. (from 30% to 38%), ocean-front cities and towns in Delaware (from
48% to 56%), and outdoor recreation in Delaware (from 24% to 29%). These
increases were each significant at p ≤ 0.01, meaning the correlations would happen by
chance only 1 out of 100 times. The percentages of residents who think sea level rise
is a very serious threat also increased slightly for nearly every other item on the list
except for Delaware’s economy and residents themselves.
110 Responsive Management
� Two questions examined perceptions of the timing of climate change and sea level rise.
• Residents were asked when they think climate change will have an impact on their area.
The most common response is that it is having impacts now (41% give this response).
Another 33% give a time of 25 years or less. However, 18% consist of those saying 50 or
100 years or saying never (i.e., climate change is not happening).
• Regarding sea level rise, 20% say now, 40% give a time of 25 years or less, and 29%
saying 50 or 100 years or never.
o In the trends analysis, the percentage of residents who say sea level rise is having
impacts now in the area where they live increased from 14% in 2009 to 20% in 2014;
this increase is significant at p ≤ 0.01, meaning the correlation would happen by
chance only 1 out of 100 times.
� The majority of Delaware residents choose Sussex County (74%) as the county that is most
threatened by sea level rise, with only 7% choosing New Castle County and 7% choosing
Kent County.
• The trends analysis shows that the percentages of Delaware residents who think one of
Delaware’s three counties is the county most threatened by sea level rise changed slightly
for each county, but these changes are not statistically significant.
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 111
45
34
10
9
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Very serious
Somewhat serious
Not very serious
Not at all serious
Don't know
Percent
Q36. How serious a threat do you think climate change is?
112 Responsive Management
47
36
9
8
1
44
33
10
10
4
42
32
14
10
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Very serious
Somewhat serious
Not very serious
Not at all serious
Don't know
Percent
Q36. How serious a threat do you think climate change is?
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 113
51
32
7
8
2
44
35
11
9
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Very serious
Somewhat serious
Not very serious
Not at all serious
Don't know
Percent
Q36. How serious a threat do you think climate change is?
Coastal Non-coastal
114 Responsive Management
91.8
91.6
89.9
87.2
84.6
82.7
82.5
82.1
81.8
80.9
80.6
79.9
79.9
79.5
79.3
79.0
77.1
76.6
75.8
73.9
73.4
70.8
51.1
33.0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Has taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climate change
Is completely or mostly convinced that climate change ishappening
Is completely or mostly convinced that sea levels are rising
Disagrees that there is enough available information about sealevel rise
Female
Lives in a coastal area
Lives in New Castle County
Younger than the median age (48)
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about climatechange
Knows a little or nothing about sea level rise
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about sea level rise
Agrees that there is enough available information about sealevel rise
Education level is less than bachelor's degree
Total
Education level is at least a bachelor's degree
Lives in a non-coastal area
Lives in Kent County
Median age (48) or older
Knows a little or nothing about climate change
Male
Lives in Sussex County
Has not taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climatechange
Is not so or not at all convinced that sea levels are rising
Is not so or not at all convinced that climate change ishappening
Percent
Percent who think that climate change is a very or somewhat serious threat:
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 115
The graph on the previous page shows the demographic and attitudinal groups that are either
more (above the striped bar) or less (below the striped bar) likely to say that climate change is a
very or serious threat, relative to residents as a whole. Overall, 79.5% of Delaware residents say
that climate change is a very or somewhat serious threat (striped bar). Those groups more
inclined to say so are above that bar (for instance, 84.6% of females say this); those groups less
inclined to say so are below that bar (for instance, only 73.9% of males say this).
116 Responsive Management
38 39
11 10
2
45
34
10 9
2
0
20
40
60
80
100
Very serious Somewhatserious
Not very serious Not at all serious Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q36. How serious a threat do you think climate change is?
2009
2014
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 117
13
31
24
31
1
0 20 40 60 80 100
A great deal
A moderate amount
Only a little
Not at all
Don't know
Percent
Q59. How much do you personally worry about sea level rise? Would you say a great deal, a moderate amount, only a little, or not at all?
118 Responsive Management
13
30
26
31
1
15
26
28
30
1
14
36
18
31
1
0 20 40 60 80 100
A great deal
A moderate amount
Only a little
Not at all
Don't know
Percent
Q59. How much do you personally worry about sea level rise? Would you say a great deal, a moderate amount, only a little, or not at all?
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 119
24
34
14
27
1
11
30
28
31
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
A great deal
A moderate amount
Only a little
Not at all
Don't know
Percent
Q59. How much do you personally worry about sea level rise? Would you say a great deal, a moderate amount, only a little, or not at all?
Coastal Non-coastal
120 Responsive Management
70.0
58.4
57.9
56.4
53.4
53.3
51.6
50.4
49.4
49.2
46.5
44.1
42.4
42.3
41.7
41.1
40.2
38.8
38.2
37.3
35.3
31.8
12.6
10.9
0 20 40 60 80 100
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about sea levelrise
Lives in a coastal area
Is completely or mostly convinced that sea levels are rising
Has taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climatechange
Is completely or mostly convinced that climate change ishappening
Disagrees that there is enough available information aboutsea level rise
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about climatechange
Lives in Sussex County
Education level is less than bachelor's degree
Female
Median age (48) or older
Total
Lives in New Castle County
Younger than the median age (48)
Agrees that there is enough available information about sealevel rise
Lives in Kent County
Lives in a non-coastal area
Male
Education level is at least a bachelor's degree
Knows a little or nothing about sea level rise
Has not taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climatechange
Knows a little or nothing about climate change
Is not so or not at all convinced that sea levels are rising
Is not so or not at all convinced that climate change ishappening
Percent
Percent who worry a great deal or moderate amount about sea level rise:
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 121
The graph on the previous page shows the demographic and attitudinal groups that are either
more (above the striped bar) or less (below the striped bar) likely to say that they worry a great
deal or moderate amount about sea level rise, relative to residents as a whole. Overall, 44.1% of
Delaware residents worry a great deal or moderate amount (striped bar). Those groups more
inclined to worry are above that bar (for instance, 58.4% of those who live in a coastal area are
worried a great deal or moderate amount); those groups less inclined to be worried are below that
bar (for instance, only 38.8% of males are worried a great deal or moderate amount).
122 Responsive Management
11
28 29 31
1
13
31
24
31
10
20
40
60
80
100
A great deal A moderateamount
Only a little Not at all Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q59. How much do you personally worry about sea level rise?
2009
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 123
45
44
38
34
30
29
28
24
21
18
0 20 40 60 80 100
People’s health
Delaware’s agriculture
People’s safety
Natural resources ofDelaware
Delaware’s economy
Delaware’s infrastructure
Outdoor recreationin Delaware
National security
Your localcommunity
Your home
Percent
Q44-Q53. Percent of respondents who think climate change is a very serious threat to each
of the following.
124 Responsive Management
78
77
72
70
66
65
65
57
53
49
0 20 40 60 80 100
People’s health
Delaware’s agriculture
People’s safety
Natural resources ofDelaware
Delaware’s economy
Outdoor recreationin Delaware
Delaware’s infrastructure
Your localcommunity
National security
Your home
Percent
Q44-Q53. Percent of respondents who think climate change is a very or somewhat serious
threat to each of the following.
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 125
25
24
17
17
13
12
12
12
10
8
0 20 40 60 80 100
Your home
National security
Outdoor recreation inDelaware
Your localcommunity
Delaware’s economy
Natural resources ofDelaware
Delaware’s infrastructure
People’s safety
People’s health
Delaware’s agriculture
Percent
Q44-Q53. Percent of respondents who think climate change is not at all a threat to each of
the following.
126 Responsive Management
49
39
38
31
29
28
25
24
21
18
0 20 40 60 80 100
Your home
National security
Your localcommunity
Outdoor recreationin Delaware
Delaware’s economy
Delaware’s infrastructure
People’s safety
Natural resources ofDelaware
People’s health
Delaware’s agriculture
Percent
Q44-Q53. Percent of respondents who think climate change is not at all a threat or not a very
serious threat to each of the following.
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 127
47
44
38
35
31
28
27
26
20
19
45
45
36
32
23
26
34
21
19
15
41
46
36
32
27
29
33
18
25
20
0 20 40 60 80 100
People’s health
Delaware’s agriculture
People’s safety
Natural resourcesof Delaware
Delaware’s infrastructure
Outdoor recreationin Delaware
Delaware’s economy
National security
Your localcommunity
Your home
Percent
Q44-Q53. Percent of respondents who think climate change is a very serious threat to each
of the following.
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
128 Responsive Management
80
78
74
72
67
66
65
57
57
48
77
76
70
68
60
64
66
48
54
44
71
75
69
67
63
62
66
47
60
54
0 20 40 60 80 100
People’s health
Delaware’s agriculture
People’s safety
Natural resources ofDelaware
Outdoor recreationin Delaware
Delaware’s infrastructure
Delaware’s economy
National security
Your localcommunity
Your home
Percent
Q44-Q53. Percent of respondents who think climate change is a very or somewhat serious
threat to each of the following.
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 129
25
22
16
16
13
11
10
10
8
7
26
28
20
19
11
13
13
13
11
8
25
25
15
16
17
14
14
14
13
12
0 20 40 60 80 100
Your home
National security
Your localcommunity
Outdoor recreationin Delaware
Delaware’s economy
Natural resourcesof Delaware
Delaware’s infrastructure
People’s safety
People’s health
Delaware’s agriculture
Percent
Q44-Q53. Percent of respondents who think climate change is not at all a threat to each of
the following.
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
130 Responsive Management
49
38
37
29
29
28
24
23
19
17
52
40
42
27
35
28
28
24
20
18
45
37
45
31
34
31
28
26
27
22
0 20 40 60 80 100
Your home
Your localcommunity
National security
Delaware’s economy
Outdoor recreationin Delaware
Delaware’s infrastructure
People’s safety
Natural resourcesof Delaware
People’s health
Delaware’s agriculture
Percent
Q44-Q53. Percent of respondents who think climate change is not at all a threat or not a very
serious threat to each of the following.
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 131
49
48
46
44
37
36
35
31
31
24
45
44
31
36
26
29
18
15
29
23
0 20 40 60 80 100
People’s health
Delaware’s agriculture
Natural resources of Delaware
People’s safety
Outdoor recreation inDelaware
Delaware’s economy
Your local community
Your home
Delaware’s infrastructure
National security
Percent
Q44-Q53. Percent of respondents who think climate change is a very serious threat to each
of the following.
Coastal
Non-coastal
132 Responsive Management
78
77
75
72
71
71
69
67
58
57
77
71
79
64
70
64
65
54
52
47
0 20 40 60 80 100
Delaware’s agriculture
People’s safety
People’s health
Delaware’s economy
Natural resources of Delaware
Delaware’s infrastructure
Outdoor recreation in Delaware
Your local community
National security
Your home
Percent
Q44-Q53. Percent of respondents who think climate change is a very or somewhat serious
threat to each of the following.
Coastal
Non-coastal
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 133
18
18
17
13
13
12
12
11
11
9
25
27
16
12
18
12
14
11
9
8
0 20 40 60 80 100
National security
Your home
Outdoor recreation inDelaware
Delaware’s infrastructure
Your local community
People’s safety
Delaware’s economy
Natural resources ofDelaware
People’s health
Delaware’s agriculture
Percent
Q44-Q53. Percent of respondents who think climate change is not at all a threat to each of
the following.
Coastal
Non-coastal
134 Responsive Management
42
34
31
30
24
23
23
21
20
18
50
41
42
31
19
31
29
26
24
18
0 20 40 60 80 100
Your home
National security
Your local community
Outdoor recreation inDelaware
People’s health
Delaware’s economy
Delaware’s infrastructure
People’s safety
Natural resources of Delaware
Delaware’s agriculture
Percent
Q44-Q53. Percent of respondents who think climate change is not at all a threat or not a very
serious threat to each of the following.
Coastal
Non-coastal
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 135
57
56
47
43
42
39
38
34
33
30
29
22
18
16
16
0 20 40 60 80 100
Delaware beaches
Ocean-front cities and towns in Delaware
Marsh and wetlands in Delaware
River-front cities and towns in Delaware
The State of Delaware
The Mid-Atlantic U.S.
The United States
Delaware's public works systems, such aspublic buildings, roads, and sewer systems
Delaware's wildlife populations
Delaware's economy
Outdoor recreation in Delaware
Your local community
You personally
Your property
Your family
Percent
Q62-Q76. Percent of respondents who think sea level rise is a very serious threat to each of the
following.
136 Responsive Management
83
81
77
77
76
76
76
69
66
65
61
49
45
41
37
0 20 40 60 80 100
Ocean-front cities and towns in Delaware
Delaware beaches
Marsh and wetlands in Delaware
The State of Delaware
The United States
The Mid-Atlantic U.S.
River-front cities and towns in Delaware
Delaware's public works systems, such aspublic buildings, roads, and sewer systems
Delaware's wildlife populations
Delaware's economy
Outdoor recreation in Delaware
Your local community
You personally
Your family
Your property
Percent
Q62-Q76. Percent of respondents who think sea level rise is a very or somewhat serious threat
to each of the following.
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 137
39
37
32
23
15
13
13
12
11
10
9
8
8
8
6
0 20 40 60 80 100
Your property
Your family
You personally
Your local community
Outdoor recreation in Delaware
Delaware's public works systems, such aspublic buildings, roads, and sewer systems
Delaware's wildlife populations
Delaware's economy
The State of Delaware
The United States
The Mid-Atlantic U.S.
Marsh and wetlands in Delaware
Delaware beaches
River-front cities and towns in Delaware
Ocean-front cities and towns in Delaware
Percent
Q62-Q76. Percent of respondents who think sea level rise is not at all a threat to each of the
following.
138 Responsive Management
60
57
52
48
34
30
29
27
21
20
19
19
17
15
13
0 20 40 60 80 100
Your property
Your family
You personally
Your local community
Outdoor recreation in Delaware
Delaware's economy
Delaware's wildlife populations
Delaware's public works systems, such aspublic buildings, roads, and sewer systems
The State of Delaware
The Mid-Atlantic U.S.
The United States
River-front cities and towns in Delaware
Marsh and wetlands in Delaware
Delaware beaches
Ocean-front cities and towns in Delaware
Percent
Q62-Q76. Percent of respondents who think sea level rise is not at all a threat or not a very
serious threat to each of the following.
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 139
59
56
46
43
43
42
41
32
31
27
26
18
18
16
15
55
58
49
44
35
41
38
37
34
32
33
24
15
14
13
56
56
48
42
28
42
35
33
39
37
34
31
21
16
23
0 20 40 60 80 100
Delaware beaches
Ocean-front cities and towns in Delaware
Marsh and wetlands in Delaware
River-front cities and towns in Delaware
The United States
The State of Delaware
The Mid-Atlantic U.S.
Delaware's wildlife populations
Delaware's public works systems, such aspublic buildings, roads, and sewer systems
Delaware's economy
Outdoor recreation in Delaware
Your local community
You personally
Your family
Your property
Percent
Q62-Q76. Percent of respondents who think sea level rise is a very serious threat to each of the
following.
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
140 Responsive Management
82
81
80
78
77
76
76
69
64
63
59
46
46
43
37
83
85
70
76
77
79
73
64
64
60
61
42
48
37
32
83
80
70
71
75
77
77
72
72
76
67
47
59
38
42
0 20 40 60 80 100
Ocean-front cities and towns in Delaware
Delaware beaches
The Mid-Atlantic U.S.
The United States
The State of Delaware
Marsh and wetlands in Delaware
River-front cities and towns in Delaware
Delaware's public works systems, such aspublic buildings, roads, and sewer systems
Delaware's wildlife populations
Delaware's economy
Outdoor recreation in Delaware
You personally
Your local community
Your family
Your property
Percent
Q62-Q76. Percent of respondents who think sea level rise is a very or somewhat serious threat
to each of the following.
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 141
38
36
31
23
17
15
13
12
11
8
8
8
7
7
6
44
41
34
29
14
10
15
14
8
7
9
10
9
5
4
37
38
32
20
12
11
13
11
13
9
15
12
8
12
7
0 20 40 60 80 100
Your property
Your family
You personally
Your local community
Outdoor recreation in Delaware
Delaware's wildlife populations
Delaware's public works systems, such aspublic buildings, roads, and sewer systems
Delaware's economy
The State of Delaware
Marsh and wetlands in Delaware
The United States
The Mid-Atlantic U.S.
River-front cities and towns in Delaware
Delaware beaches
Ocean-front cities and towns in Delaware
Percent
Q62-Q76. How serious a threat do you think sea level rise is to each of the following?
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
142 Responsive Management
60
55
51
51
37
32
31
26
20
18
17
17
17
15
13
64
61
55
47
31
32
28
29
20
20
14
19
23
13
13
58
60
51
40
30
22
25
26
24
19
18
26
24
18
14
0 20 40 60 80 100
Your property
Your family
You personally
Your local community
Outdoor recreation in Delaware
Delaware's economy
Delaware's wildlife populations
Delaware's public works systems, such aspublic buildings, roads, and sewer systems
The State of Delaware
River-front cities and towns in Delaware
Marsh and wetlands in Delaware
The United States
The Mid-Atlantic U.S.
Delaware beaches
Ocean-front cities and towns in Delaware
Percent
Q62-Q76. Percent of respondents who think sea level rise is not at all a threat or not a very
serious threat to each of the following.
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 143
67
65
60
53
52
52
51
50
49
48
44
39
38
38
31
54
56
40
29
39
46
29
36
15
25
27
12
38
10
12
0 20 40 60 80 100
Ocean-front cities and towns in Delaware
Delaware beaches
River-front cities and towns in Delaware
Delaware's public works systems, such as publicbuildings, roads, and sewer systems
The State of Delaware
Marsh and wetlands in Delaware
Delaware's wildlife populations
The Mid-Atlantic U.S.
Your local community
Outdoor recreation in Delaware
Delaware's economy
You personally
The United States
Your property
Your family
Percent
Q62-Q76. Percent of respondents who think sea level rise is a very serious threat to each of the
following.
Coastal
Non-coastal
144 Responsive Management
87
85
84
82
81
80
78
77
77
76
75
73
60
60
55
83
74
82
77
75
77
66
63
77
58
62
43
41
31
36
0 20 40 60 80 100
Ocean-front cities and towns in Delaware
River-front cities and towns in Delaware
Delaware beaches
The State of Delaware
The Mid-Atlantic U.S.
Marsh and wetlands in Delaware
Delaware's public works systems, such aspublic buildings, roads, and sewer systems
Delaware's wildlife populations
The United States
Outdoor recreation in Delaware
Delaware's economy
Your local community
You personally
Your property
Your family
Percent
Q62-Q76. Percent of respondents who think sea level rise is a very or somewhat serious threat
to each of the following.
Coastal
Non-coastal
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 145
29
24
23
14
11
11
10
10
10
9
9
9
8
5
4
40
34
43
12
11
7
14
16
10
14
27
8
9
6
8
0 20 40 60 80 100
Your family
You personally
Your property
Delaware's economy
The State of Delaware
Delaware beaches
Delaware's wildlife populations
Outdoor recreation in Delaware
The United States
Delaware's public works systems, such as publicbuildings, roads, and sewer systems
Your local community
Marsh and wetlands in Delaware
The Mid-Atlantic U.S.
Ocean-front cities and towns in Delaware
River-front cities and towns in Delaware
Percent
Q62-Q76. Percent of respondents who think sea level rise is not at all a threat to each of the
following.
Coastal
Non-coastal
146 Responsive Management
44
39
38
27
23
22
21
20
19
16
15
14
14
11
10
62
66
56
54
38
32
32
29
19
21
20
17
15
13
20
0 20 40 60 80 100
Your family
Your property
You personally
Your local community
Outdoor recreation in Delaware
Delaware's economy
Delaware's wildlife populations
Delaware's public works systems, such as publicbuildings, roads, and sewer systems
The United States
The State of Delaware
The Mid-Atlantic U.S.
Marsh and wetlands in Delaware
Delaware beaches
Ocean-front cities and towns in Delaware
River-front cities and towns in Delaware
Percent
Q62-Q76. Percent of respondents who think sea level rise is not at all a threat or not a very
serious threat to each of the following.
Coastal
Non-coastal
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 147
89.5
87.1
86.0
84.3
82.4
82.1
82.0
81.5
79.3
78.0
77.9
77.4
77.4
76.8
76.6
76.6
75.7
74.7
74.1
73.0
71.5
69.3
44.7
44.5
0 20 40 60 80 100
Is completely or mostly convinced that sea levels are rising
Has taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climate change
Is completely or mostly convinced that climate change ishappening
Disagrees that there is enough available information about sealevel rise
Lives in a coastal area
Female
Younger than the median age (48)
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about sea level rise
Knows a little or nothing about climate change
Knows a little or nothing about sea level rise
Education level is at least a bachelor's degree
Lives in New Castle County
Lives in Kent County
Total
Lives in a non-coastal area
Education level is less than bachelor's degree
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about climatechange
Lives in Sussex County
Agrees that there is enough available information about sealevel rise
Median age (48) or older
Male
Has not taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climatechange
Is not so or not at all convinced that sea levels are rising
Is not so or not at all convinced that climate change ishappening
Percent
Percent who think sea level rise is a very or somewhat serious threat to the state of
Delaware:
148 Responsive Management
The graph on the previous page shows the demographic and attitudinal groups that are either
more (above the striped bar) or less (below the striped bar) likely to think that sea level rise is a
very or somewhat serious threat to Delaware, relative to what residents as a whole think.
Overall, 76.8% of Delaware residents think that sea level rise is a very or somewhat serious
threat to Delaware (striped bar). Those groups more inclined to think this are above that bar (for
instance, 82.1% of females think so); those groups less inclined to think so are below that bar
(for instance, only 71.5% of males think so).
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 149
73.0
59.5
58.7
56.9
56.7
56.1
56.0
50.8
49.8
49.2
48.6
48.1
47.9
47.9
47.0
46.7
45.8
44.5
42.6
42.6
41.1
39.6
25.2
22.3
0 20 40 60 80 100
Lives in a coastal area
Is completely or mostly convinced that sea levels are rising
Lives in Sussex County
Is completely or mostly convinced that climate change ishappening
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about sea level rise
Female
Has taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climate change
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about climatechange
Education level is less than bachelor's degree
Total
Younger than the median age (48)
Lives in Kent County
Median age (48) or older
Disagrees that there is enough available information about sealevel rise
Knows a little or nothing about climate change
Education level is at least a bachelor's degree
Lives in New Castle County
Has not taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climatechange
Lives in a non-coastal area
Agrees that there is enough available information about sealevel rise
Male
Knows a little or nothing about sea level rise
Is not so or not at all convinced that sea levels are rising
Is not so or not at all convinced that climate change ishappening
Percent
Percent who think sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat to the local community:
150 Responsive Management
The graph on the previous page shows the demographic and attitudinal groups that are either
more (above the striped bar) or less (below the striped bar) likely to think that sea level rise is a
very or somewhat serious threat to their local community, relative to what residents as a whole
think. Overall, 49.2% of Delaware residents think that sea level rise is a very or somewhat
serious threat to their local community (striped bar). Those groups more inclined to think this
are above that bar (for instance, 73.0% of those who live in a coastal area think so); those groups
less inclined to think so are below that bar (for instance, only 41.1% of males think so).
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 151
60.4
55.2
55.0
53.6
53.2
52.1
50.6
48.3
46.6
46.3
46.1
45.7
45.5
45.4
44.9
44.2
42.4
41.7
41.2
39.9
38.6
37.2
20.8
16.8
0 20 40 60 80 100
Lives in a coastal area
Is completely or mostly convinced that sea levels are rising
Has taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climatechange
Disagrees that there is enough available information aboutsea level rise
Is completely or mostly convinced that climate change ishappening
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about sea levelrise
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about climatechange
Female
Lives in Sussex County
Younger than the median age (48)
Lives in New Castle County
Education level is at least a bachelor's degree
Education level is less than bachelor's degree
Total
Median age (48) or older
Agrees that there is enough available information about sealevel rise
Male
Lives in Kent County
Lives in a non-coastal area
Knows a little or nothing about sea level rise
Has not taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climatechange
Knows a little or nothing about climate change
Is not so or not at all convinced that sea levels are rising
Is not so or not at all convinced that climate change ishappening
Percent
Percent who think sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat to themselves:
152 Responsive Management
The graph on the previous page shows the demographic and attitudinal groups that are either
more (above the striped bar) or less (below the striped bar) likely to think that sea level rise is a
very or somewhat serious threat to themselves, relative to what residents as a whole think.
Overall, 45.4% of Delaware residents think that sea level rise is a very or somewhat serious
threat to themselves (striped bar). Those groups more inclined to think this are above that bar
(for instance, 48.3% of females think so); those groups less inclined to think so are below that
bar (for instance, only 42.4% of males think so).
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 153
31
42
1013
4
38 38
10 10
4
0
20
40
60
80
100
Very serious Somewhatserious
Not very serious Not at all serious Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q62. How serious a threat do you think sea level rise is to the United States?
2009
2014
154 Responsive Management
30
38
1215
5
38 38
10 104
0
20
40
60
80
100
Very serious Somewhatserious
Not very serious Not at all serious Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q63. How serious a threat do you think sea level rise is to the Mid-Atlantic U.S.?
2009
2014
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 155
3338
12 13
4
42
35
10 11
2
0
20
40
60
80
100
Very serious Somewhatserious
Not very serious Not at all serious Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q64. How serious a threat do you think sea level rise is to the State of Delaware?
2009
2014
156 Responsive Management
53
26
711
4
57
24
7 83
0
20
40
60
80
100
Very serious Somewhatserious
Not very serious Not at all serious Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q65. How serious a threat do you think sea level rise is to Delaware beaches?
2009
2014
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 157
42
32
10 11
5
47
30
8 86
0
20
40
60
80
100
Very serious Somewhatserious
Not very serious Not at all serious Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q66. How serious a threat do you think sea level rise is to marsh and wetlands in Delaware?
2009
2014
158 Responsive Management
48
28
912
3
56
27
7 6 4
0
20
40
60
80
100
Very serious Somewhatserious
Not very serious Not at all serious Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q67. How serious a threat do you think sea level rise is to ocean-front cities and towns in Delaware?
2009
2014
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 159
3437
12 14
3
43
32
118 6
0
20
40
60
80
100
Very serious Somewhatserious
Not very serious Not at all serious Don't know
Perc
en
tQ68. How serious a threat do you think sea level rise is
to river-front cities and towns in Delaware?
2009
2014
160 Responsive Management
24
37
17 18
4
2932
1915
4
0
20
40
60
80
100
Very serious Somewhatserious
Not very serious Not at all serious Don't know
Perc
en
tQ69. How serious a threat do you think sea level rise is
to outdoor recreation in Delaware?
2009
2014
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 161
32
38
13 13
3
33 33
1613
5
0
20
40
60
80
100
Very serious Somewhatserious
Not very serious Not at all serious Don't know
Perc
en
tQ70. How serious a threat do you think sea level rise is
to Delaware's wildlife populations?
2009
2014
162 Responsive Management
3235
14 15
4
3035
1712
5
0
20
40
60
80
100
Very serious Somewhatserious
Not very serious Not at all serious Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q71. How serious a threat do you think sea level rise is to Delaware's economy?
2009
2014
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 163
3036
15 14
5
34 35
13 13
5
0
20
40
60
80
100
Very serious Somewhatserious
Not very serious Not at all serious Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q72. How serious a threat do you think sea level rise is to Delaware's public works systems, such as public
buildings, roads, and sewer systems?
2009
2014
164 Responsive Management
19
2924
26
3
22
2725 23
3
0
20
40
60
80
100
Very serious Somewhatserious
Not very serious Not at all serious Don't know
Perc
en
tQ73. How serious a threat do you think sea level rise is
to your local community?
2009
2014
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 165
13
23 23
38
3
1621 22
39
2
0
20
40
60
80
100
Very serious Somewhatserious
Not very serious Not at all serious Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q74. How serious a threat do you think sea level rise is to your property?
2009
2014
166 Responsive Management
14
2722
34
3
16
2520
37
2
0
20
40
60
80
100
Very serious Somewhatserious
Not very serious Not at all serious Don't know
Perc
en
tQ75. How serious a threat do you think sea level rise is
to your family?
2009
2014
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 167
18
31
20
30
2
18
28
20
32
3
0
20
40
60
80
100
Very serious Somewhatserious
Not very serious Not at all serious Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q76. How serious a threat do you think sea level rise is to you personally?
2009
2014
168 Responsive Management
41
12
11
10
6
6
6
7
20
10
12
18
10
10
9
11
0 20 40 60 80 100
It is havingimpacts now
In 5 years
In 10 years
In 25 years
In 50 years
In 100 years
Never
Don't know
Percent
Climate change
Sea level rise
Q54/Q79. When do you think [climate change / sea level rise] will start to have impacts on the area where you live in Delaware? Is it having impacts
now, will it have impacts in 5 years, 10 years, in 25 years, in 50 years, in 100 years, or will it never have
impacts?
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 169
40
14
11
10
6
6
5
7
43
9
12
9
6
6
7
8
43
11
8
11
5
5
9
8
0 20 40 60 80 100
It is having impactsnow
5 years
10 years
25 years
50 years
100 years
Never / climatechange is not
happening
Don't know
Percent
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
Q54. When do you think climate change will start to have impacts on the area in which you live in
Delaware? Is it having impacts now, or will it start to have impacts in 5 years? 10 years? 25 years? 50
years? 100 years? Or never because climate change is not happening?
170 Responsive Management
52
13
7
8
2
4
7
5
39
12
12
11
7
6
6
7
0 20 40 60 80 100
It is having impactsnow
5 years
10 years
25 years
50 years
100 years
Never / climatechange is not
happening
Don't know
Percent
Coastal Non-coastal
Q54. When do you think climate change will start to have impacts on the area in which you live in
Delaware? Is it having impacts now, or will it start to have impacts in 5 years? 10 years? 25 years? 50
years? 100 years? Or never because climate change is not happening?
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 171
52.4
51.9
50.4
49.2
48.5
47.5
47.4
45.5
44.0
43.1
42.6
42.3
41.3
40.3
39.7
38.6
38.5
37.2
34.6
34.5
34.2
33.8
19.0
6.7
0 20 40 60 80 100
Lives in a coastal area
Has taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climatechange
Is completely or mostly convinced that climate change ishappening
Is completely or mostly convinced that sea levels are rising
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about sea levelrise
Disagrees that there is enough available information aboutsea level rise
Female
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about climatechange
Median age (48) or older
Lives in Kent County
Lives in Sussex County
Education level is less than bachelor's degree
Total
Lives in New Castle County
Education level is at least a bachelor's degree
Younger than the median age (48)
Lives in a non-coastal area
Knows a little or nothing about sea level rise
Agrees that there is enough available information about sealevel rise
Male
Knows a little or nothing about climate change
Has not taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climatechange
Is not so or not at all convinced that sea levels are rising
Is not so or not at all convinced that climate change ishappening
Percent
Percent who think climate change is having impacts now:
172 Responsive Management
The graph on the previous page shows the demographic and attitudinal groups that are either
more (above the striped bar) or less (below the striped bar) likely to think that climate change is
having impacts now, relative to residents as a whole. Overall, 41.3% of Delaware residents think
that climate change is having impacts now (striped bar). Those groups more inclined to think so
are above that bar (for instance, 52.4% of those who live in a coastal area think climate change is
having impacts now); those groups less inclined to think so are below that bar (for instance, only
34.5% of males think so).
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 173
17
9
12
20
11
10
9
11
14
15
15
15
9
8
12
12
31
10
9
17
7
9
7
10
0 20 40 60 80 100
It is having impactsnow
In 5 years
In 10 years
In 25 years
In 50 years
In 100 years
Never / sea levelsare not rising
Don't know
Percent
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
Q79. When do you think sea level rise will start to have impacts on the area where you live in
Delaware? Is it having impacts now, will it have impacts in 5 years, 10 years, in 25 years, in 50
years, in 100 years, or will it never have impacts?
174 Responsive Management
36
14
11
12
4
7
4
11
16
10
12
20
12
11
10
9
0 20 40 60 80 100
It is having impactsnow
In 5 years
In 10 years
In 25 years
In 50 years
In 100 years
Never / sea levelsare not rising
Don't know
Percent
Coastal Non-coastal
Q79. When do you think sea level rise will start to have impacts on the area where you live in
Delaware? Is it having impacts now, will it have impacts in 5 years, 10 years, in 25 years, in 50
years, in 100 years, or will it never have impacts?
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 175
36.1
30.7
26.5
24.8
23.9
23.5
23.3
22.6
22.2
21.8
21.0
20.4
19.6
17.3
16.9
16.9
16.7
16.4
15.7
14.5
14.3
12.9
7.9
7.6
0 20 40 60 80 100
Lives in a coastal area
Lives in Sussex County
Median age (48) or older
Female
Has taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climatechange
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about sea levelrise
Is completely or mostly convinced that sea levels are rising
Is completely or mostly convinced that climate change ishappening
Education level is less than bachelor's degree
Disagrees that there is enough available information aboutsea level rise
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about climatechange
Knows a little or nothing about sea level rise
Total
Agrees that there is enough available information about sealevel rise
Knows a little or nothing about climate change
Lives in New Castle County
Has not taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climatechange
Education level is at least a bachelor's degree
Lives in a non-coastal area
Male
Lives in Kent County
Younger than the median age (48)
Is not so or not at all convinced that climate change ishappening
Is not so or not at all convinced that sea levels are rising
Percent
Percent who think sea level rise is having impacts now:
176 Responsive Management
The graph on the previous page shows the demographic and attitudinal groups that are either
more (above the striped bar) or less (below the striped bar) likely to think that sea level rise is
having impacts now, relative to residents as a whole. Overall, 19.6% of Delaware residents think
that sea level rise is having impacts now (striped bar). Those groups more inclined to think so
are above that bar (for instance, 36.1% of those who live in a coastal area think that sea level rise
is having impacts now); those groups less inclined to think so are below that bar (for instance,
only 14.5% of males think so).
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 177
149
1317
12 11 12 12
20
10 12
18
10 10 9 11
0
20
40
60
80
100
It is havingimpacts
now
In 5 years In 10 years In 25 years In 50 years In 100years
Never / sealevels arenot rising
Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q79. When do you think sea level rise will start to have impacts on the area where you live in Delaware?
2009
2014
178 Responsive Management
7
7
74
12
0 20 40 60 80 100
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
Don't know
Percent
Q77. In your opinion, which Delaware county is most threatened by sea level rise?
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 179
9
7
71
13
4
13
73
9
3
2
82
13
0 20 40 60 80 100
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
Don't know
Percent
Q77. In your opinion, which Delaware county is most threatened by sea level rise?
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
180 Responsive Management
9
6
74
11
6
7
75
12
0 20 40 60 80 100
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
Don't know
Percent
Q77. In your opinion, which Delaware county is most threatened by sea level rise?
Coastal Non-coastal
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 181
5 5
78
127 7
74
12
0
20
40
60
80
100
New Castle Kent Sussex Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q77. In your opinion, which Delaware county is most threatened by sea level rise?
2009
2014
182 Responsive Management
POTENTIAL ACTIONS PERCEIVED TO AFFECT CLIMATE CHANGE
PERCEPTIONS OF EFFICACY OF TAKING ACTION TO MITIGATE CLIMATE CHANGE
� A majority of Delaware residents (72%) agree that the impacts of climate change can be
reduced by human efforts; on the other hand, 21% disagree. Likewise, 59% agree that sea
level rise can be reduced by human efforts, while 29% disagree.
• Similarly, 65% agree that they can personally take actions that will help reduce climate
change; meanwhile, 28% disagree.
• A negative phrasing of a question found that 65% of residents disagree that the actions of
a single person…won’t make any difference in reducing climate change, while 32%
agree.
o While a majority of Delaware residents agree that the impacts of climate change can
be reduced by human efforts, the trends analysis shows a slight increase in the
percentage of those who strongly disagree (from 11% in 2009 to 15% in 2014); this
increase is statistically significant at p ≤ 0.01, meaning the correlation would happen
by chance only 1 out of 100 times, but the similar increase in the percentage of those
who strongly disagree that they can personally take actions that will help reduce
climate change is not statistically significant.
o The trends analysis also shows that although overall agreement that sea level rise can
be reduced by human efforts decreased slightly, the small increase in the percentage
of residents who strongly agree is not statistically significant.
o Overall disagreement with the negative statement that the actions of a single person…
won’t make any difference in reducing climate change remained relatively stable
from 2009 to 2014.
� Two questions delved into the amount of action that can be taken to reduce climate change,
both asking about agreement or disagreement with statements. The first statement says that
“There is limited action that can be taken to reduce climate change,” and the second
statement says that “There are many actions that can be taken to reduce climate change.” A
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 183
greater percentage agree that there are many actions that can be taken than agree that there is
limited action that can be taken.
• For limited action, 49% of residents agree that there is limited action that can be taken to
reduce climate change. However, 42% disagree with this statement.
• For many actions, 70% of residents agree that there are many actions that can be taken to
reduce climate change, while only 19% disagree.
o In the trends analysis, there is a decrease in the percentage of residents who disagree
(moderately or strongly) that there is limited action that can be taken to reduce
climate change (from 47% in 2009 to 42% in 2014), and this change is significant at
p ≤ 0.05, meaning the correlation would happen by chance only 5 out of 100 times.
For the statement about many actions can be taken, agreement and disagreement
remained relatively stable from 2009 to 2014.
184 Responsive Management
47
25
4
6
15
3
38
21
3
8
21
9
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderately disagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q85. The impacts of climate change can be reduced by human efforts.
Q101. Sea level rise can be reduced by human efforts.
(Do you agree or disagree with these statements?
Climate change
Sea level rise
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 185
52
22
3
6
15
2
41
30
3
8
13
4
38
31
4
7
18
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderatelydisagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q85. The impacts of climate change can be reduced by human efforts. (Do you agree or
disagree with this statement?)
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
186 Responsive Management
42
29
4
5
17
2
48
24
3
7
15
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderatelydisagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q85. The impacts of climate change can be reduced by human efforts. (Do you agree or
disagree with this statement?)
Coastal Non-coastal
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 187
89.7
84.3
81.9
80.4
78.1
75.5
75.2
73.8
73.7
73.4
72.7
72.1
71.4
71.3
70.6
70.6
70.2
69.8
69.4
68.8
68.7
58.9
44.2
38.8
0 20 40 60 80 100
Has taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climate change
Disagrees that there is enough available information about sealevel rise
Is completely or mostly convinced that sea levels are rising
Is completely or mostly convinced that climate change ishappening
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about sea level rise
Female
Education level is at least a bachelor's degree
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about climatechange
Lives in New Castle County
Younger than the median age (48)
Lives in a non-coastal area
Total
Lives in Kent County
Lives in a coastal area
Knows a little or nothing about sea level rise
Median age (48) or older
Education level is less than bachelor's degree
Agrees that there is enough available information about sealevel rise
Knows a little or nothing about climate change
Lives in Sussex County
Male
Has not taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climatechange
Is not so or not at all convinced that sea levels are rising
Is not so or not at all convinced that climate change ishappening
Percent
Percent who agree (strongly or moderately) that the impacts of climate change can be reduced
by human efforts:
188 Responsive Management
The graph on the previous page shows the demographic and attitudinal groups that are either
more (above the striped bar) or less (below the striped bar) likely to agree that the impacts of
climate change can be reduced by human efforts, relative to residents as a whole. Overall, 72.1%
of Delaware residents agree that the impacts of climate change can be reduced by human efforts
(striped bar). Those groups more inclined to agree are above that bar (for instance, 75.5% of
females agree); those groups less inclined to agree are below that bar (for instance, only 68.7%
of males agree).
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 189
48
28
28
11
3
47
25
46
15
3
0
20
40
60
80
100
Stronglyagree
Moderatelyagree
Neither agreenor disagree
Moderatelydisagree
Stronglydisagree
Don't know
Perc
en
tQ85. Do you agree or disagree with this statement: The impacts of climate change can be reduced by human
efforts.
2009
2014
190 Responsive Management
41
20
3
6
21
10
30
26
4
10
23
8
38
22
3
10
22
5
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderately disagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q101. Sea level rise can be reduced by human efforts. (Do you agree or disagree with this
statement?)
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 191
43
20
4
6
21
6
37
22
2
8
22
9
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderately disagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q101. Sea level rise can be reduced by human efforts. (Do you agree or disagree with this
statement?)
Coastal
Non-coastal
192 Responsive Management
76.6
71.0
66.3
64.4
63.1
62.4
62.1
61.1
60.9
60.6
59.6
59.4
59.3
59.0
59.0
58.5
56.8
56.5
55.7
54.7
53.5
33.8
33.7
0 20 40 60 80 100
Has taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climate change
Is completely or mostly convinced that sea levels are rising
Is completely or mostly convinced that climate change ishappening
Disagrees that there is enough available information aboutsea level rise
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about climatechange
Lives in a coastal area
Education level is at least a bachelor's degree
Younger than the median age (48)
Lives in New Castle County
Male
Total
Lives in Sussex County
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about sea level rise
Female
Median age (48) or older
Lives in a non-coastal area
Education level is less than bachelor's degree
Agrees that there is enough available information about sealevel rise
Lives in Kent County
Knows a little or nothing about sea level rise rise
Knows a little or nothing about climate change
Is not so or not at all convinced that climate change ishappening
Is not so or not at all convinced that sea levels are rising
Percent
Percent of each of the following groups who agree (strongly or moderately) that sea level
rise can be reduced by human efforts:
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 193
The graph on the previous page shows the demographic and attitudinal groups that are either
more (above the striped bar) or less (below the striped bar) likely to agree that sea level rise can
be reduced by human efforts, relative to residents as a whole. Overall, 59.6% of Delaware
residents agree that sea level rise can be reduced by human efforts (striped bar). Those groups
more inclined to agree are above that bar (for instance, 62.4% of those who live in a coastal area
agree); those groups less inclined to agree are below that bar (for instance, only 55.7% of Kent
County residents agree).
194 Responsive Management
3227
49
20
8
38
21
38
21
9
0
20
40
60
80
100
Stronglyagree
Moderatelyagree
Neither agreenor disagree
Moderatelydisagree
Stronglydisagree
Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q101. Do you agree or disagree with this statement: Sea level rise can be reduced by human efforts.
2009
2014
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 195
44
21
3
7
21
4
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderately disagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q93. You can personally take actions that will help reduce climate change. (Do you agree or
disagree with this statement?)
196 Responsive Management
44
19
4
7
22
4
41
28
2
7
16
5
44
22
2
6
21
5
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderatelydisagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q93. You can personally take actions that will help reduce climate change. (Do you agree or
disagree with this statement?)
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 197
44
17
1
11
23
4
43
23
4
6
20
5
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderatelydisagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q93. You can personally take actions that will help reduce climate change. (Do you agree or
disagree with this statement?)
Coastal Non-coastal
198 Responsive Management
44
26
37
16
3
44
21
37
21
4
0
20
40
60
80
100
Strongly agree Moderatelyagree
Neither agreenor disagree
Moderatelydisagree
Stronglydisagree
Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q93. Do you agree or disagree with this statement: You can personally take actions that will help reduce
climate change.
2009
2014
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 199
20
12
2
15
50
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderatelydisagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q94. The actions of single person like you won't make any difference in reducing climate
change. (Do you agree or disagree with this statement?)
200 Responsive Management
21
8
2
12
56
2
21
21
2
20
34
2
19
15
5
17
42
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderatelydisagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q94. The actions of single person like you won't make any difference in reducing climate
change. (Do you agree or disagree with this statement?)
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 201
23
10
2
12
51
2
20
11
2
15
50
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderatelydisagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q94. The actions of single person like you won't make any difference in reducing climate
change. (Do you agree or disagree with this statement?)
Coastal Non-coastal
202 Responsive Management
1913
2
19
45
2
20
12
2
15
50
2
0
20
40
60
80
100
Stronglyagree
Moderatelyagree
Neither agreenor disagree
Moderatelydisagree
Stronglydisagree
Don't know
Perc
en
tQ94. Do you agree or disagree with this statement: The
actions of single person like you won't make any difference in reducing climate change.
2009
2014
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 203
25
24
5
13
29
4
48
22
4
6
13
5
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderately disagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q87. There is limited action that can be taken to reduce climate change.
Q88. There are many actions that can be taken to reduce climate change.
(Do you agree or disagree with these statements?)
Limited action
Many actions
204 Responsive Management
27
21
5
12
31
4
23
25
4
14
27
6
23
30
6
15
23
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderatelydisagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q87. There is limited action that can be taken to reduce climate change. (Do you agree or
disagree with this statement?)
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 205
21
31
6
9
28
5
27
22
4
14
29
4
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderatelydisagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q87. There is limited action that can be taken to reduce climate change. (Do you agree or
disagree with this statement?)
Coastal Non-coastal
206 Responsive Management
23 23
2
17
30
5
25 24
5
13
29
4
0
20
40
60
80
100
Stronglyagree
Moderatelyagree
Neither agreenor disagree
Moderatelydisagree
Stronglydisagree
Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q87. Do you agree or disagree with this statement: There is limited action that can be taken to reduce
climate change.
2009
2014
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 207
49
21
5
6
14
5
45
26
5
9
10
5
48
23
3
4
15
6
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderately disagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q88. There are many actions that can be taken to reduce climate change. (Do you agree or
disagree with this statement?)
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
208 Responsive Management
51
22
4
5
12
7
48
23
4
7
13
5
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderately disagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q88. There are many actions that can be taken to reduce climate change. (Do you agree or
disagree with this statement?)
Coastal Non-coastal
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 209
47
25
2
912
5
48
22
4 6
13
5
0
20
40
60
80
100
Stronglyagree
Moderatelyagree
Neither agreenor disagree
Moderatelydisagree
Stronglydisagree
Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q88. Do you agree or disagree with this statement: There are many actions that can be taken to reduce
climate change.
2009
2014
210 Responsive Management
MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES PERTAINING TO CLIMATE CHANGE
� Regardless of their opinions on climate change and sea level rise, the large majority of
residents say that action should be taken to address or reduce the impacts of sea level rise in
their area before impacts occur (74% say this) rather than as impacts begin (8%) or after
impacts cause problems (3%). Note that 8% said never because sea levels are not rising.
• The trends analysis shows a small decrease in the percentage of residents who say that
action should be taken to address or reduce the impacts of sea level rise in their area
before impacts occur (from 80% in 2009 to 74% in 2014) and a small increase in the
percentage who say never because sea levels are not rising (from 4% to 8%). Each of
these changes are significant at p ≤ 0.01, meaning the correlation would happen by
chance only 1 out of 100 times.
� Two questions looked at whether action should be taken now or whether more study should
be done.
• A large majority of Delaware residents (76%) agree that we should take immediate action
to reduce the impacts of climate change; on the other hand, 18% disagree.
• This compares to 63% who agree that we should conduct more research before taking
any action to address climate change and 32% who disagree.
o Note that one half of the sample received one question, and the other half received the
other question. Nonetheless, the results show the ambivalence some people have
about climate change—it is likely that some respondents would have agreed with both
statements, had both questions been asked of the same respondents. This
demonstrates that, for many people, their beliefs on climate change and actions that
can be taken are not strongly held.
• A similar pairing of questions asked the same thing about sea level rise. A large majority
of Delaware residents (72%) agree that we should take immediate action to reduce the
impacts of sea level rise, while 21% disagree. Meanwhile, 64% agree that we should
conduct more research before taking any action to address sea level rise, and 30%
disagree.
o This pair of questions was also asked of halves of the sample, and it also
demonstrates that, for some people, their beliefs are not strongly held.
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 211
• The trends analysis shows a dramatic increase in the percentage of residents who strongly
agree that we should take immediate action to reduce the impacts of climate change:
54% of Delaware residents today strongly agree that immediate action should be taken
compared to 35% in 2009. Although this change is significant at p ≤ 0.01, the increase
should be considered with caution due to a change in question wording from 2009 to
2014; in 2010 the statement respondents were asked to agree or disagree with was, “We
should take immediate and drastic action to reduce the impacts of climate change.” In
2014, the phrase “and drastic” was deleted.
• A similar yet slightly less dramatic increase occurred for the statement that we should
take immediate action to reduce the impacts of sea level rise, with 35% strongly agreeing
in 2009 compared to 49% in 2014. Both of these increases are significant at p ≤ 0.01,
meaning each correlation would happen by chance only 1 out of 100 times.
• The percentage of residents who disagree (strongly or moderately) that we should
conduct more research before taking any action to address climate change increased
slightly from 28% in 2009 to 32% in 2014; however, this change is not statistically
significant. A similar increase in the disagree response occurred for the statement that we
should conduct more research before taking any action to address sea level rise, and the
increase in disagreement for this statement occurred only in the strongly disagree
category (from 15% to 22%); it is statistically significant at p ≤ 0.01, meaning each
correlation would happen by chance only 1 out of 100 times.
� A large majority of residents (74%) agree that the state of Delaware needs to conduct more
research to identify the impacts of sea level rise in the state; 18% disagree.
• The percentage of residents who strongly agree that the state of Delaware needs to
conduct more research to identify the impacts of sea level rise in Delaware increased to a
slight majority (from 45% in 2009 to 52% in 2014), and overall disagreement (strongly
and moderately) decreased. Each of these changes is statistically significant at p ≤ 0.05,
meaning each correlation would happen by chance only 5 out of 100 times.
212 Responsive Management
� The survey presented ten actions that could be taken to address sea level rise in Delaware.
For each action, residents were asked if they would support or oppose it.
• Two actions are in a top tier: change building codes and regulations to reduce risk in
flood prone areas and avoid building new structures in areas at risk from sea level rise:
63% and 62%, respectively, strongly support those actions.
• The next tier consists of those actions with well more than a third to a half in strong
support: increasing funding for research (50%); elevating buildings in areas of risk
using private funding (46%); allowing beaches and wetlands to naturally migrate inland
(41%); building dikes, seawalls, and bulkheads to keep water back (38%); and elevating
the land surface in areas of risk (38%).
• The bottom tier are those that explicitly entail using government funds: elevating
buildings in areas at risk from sea level rise using government funds (34%), purchasing
or acquiring land and open space at risk from sea level rise from willing land sellers
using government funds (29%), and purchasing or buying out frequently flooded
properties using government funds (24%).
o In the trends analysis, two actions showed substantial increases in overall support,
with corresponding decreases in overall opposition: elevating buildings in areas at
risk from sea level rise using government funds (the percentage of residents who
support this action increased from 39% in 2009 to 52% in 2014) and elevating the
land surface in areas at risk (from 54% to 63%). For each of these the increase
occurred either entirely or mostly in the strongly support category, but the increases
in overall support are both statistically significant at p ≤ 0.01, meaning each
correlation would happen by chance only 1 out of 100 times. The percentage of
residents who strongly support allowing beaches and wetlands to naturally migrate
inland increased from 29% to 41% and is statistically significant, also at p ≤ 0.01.
For the remaining actions, overall support and opposition remained relatively stable
from 2009 to 2014.
o Four graphs are shown: the percentages who strongly support, the percentages who
strongly or moderately support, the percentages who strongly oppose, and the
percentages who strongly or moderately oppose.
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 213
� The large majority of Delaware residents (70%) support having their local and state
governments spend more money on public construction projects if it means that the structures
could withstand or accommodate sea level rise; however, 20% oppose.
• Those who opposed in the preceding question were then asked if they would support or
oppose such construction measures if they knew that it would save money in the long
run: 33% of this group then support the idea (meanwhile, 61% still oppose).
• In the trends analysis, overall support for having local and state governments spend more
money on public construction projects if it means the structures can withstand or
accommodate sea level rise increased slightly from 2009 to 2014, and overall opposition
decreased slightly. The most substantial change was an increase in the percentage of
residents who strongly support the action, going from 34% in 2009 to 46% in 2014, and
this increase is significant at p ≤ 0.01, meaning each correlation would happen by chance
only 1 out of 100 times. Results for the conditional follow-up questions among those
who initially opposed such action did not result in any substantial fluctuations from 2009
to 2014.
214 Responsive Management
74
8
3
8
6
0 20 40 60 80 100
Before impactsoccur
As impacts begin
After impacts causeproblems
Never / sea levelsare not rising
Don't know
Percent
Q80. When do you think action should be taken to address or reduce the impacts of sea level rise in the area where you live in Delaware?
Would you say...?
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 215
75
8
5
6
6
73
12
2
9
5
73
7
1
13
6
0 20 40 60 80 100
Before impacts occur
As impacts begin
After impacts causeproblems
Never / sea levelsare not rising
Don't know
Percent
Q80. When do you think action should be taken to address or reduce the impacts of sea level rise in the area where you live in Delaware?
Would you say...?
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
216 Responsive Management
77
10
0
12
1
74
8
4
7
6
0 20 40 60 80 100
Before impacts occur
As impacts begin
After impacts causeproblems
Never / sea levels arenot rising
Don't know
Percent
Q80. When do you think action should be taken to address or reduce the impacts of sea level rise in the area where you live in Delaware?
Would you say...?
Coastal Non-coastal
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 217
87.9
81.0
80.5
80.5
80.4
78.9
77.0
76.6
75.5
75.0
74.9
74.6
74.6
74.4
74.4
72.9
72.6
72.5
72.0
69.5
66.8
64.0
55.3
48.9
0 20 40 60 80 100
Has taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climate change
Disagrees that there is enough available information about sealevel rise
Is completely or mostly convinced that sea levels are rising
Female
Is completely or mostly convinced that climate change ishappening
Knows a little or nothing about climate change
Knows a little or nothing about sea level rise
Lives in a coastal area
Lives in New Castle County
Education level is at least a bachelor's degree
Younger than the median age (48)
Agrees that there is enough available information about sealevel rise
Education level is less than bachelor's degree
Lives in a non-coastal area
Total
Lives in Sussex County
Median age (48) or older
Lives in Kent County
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about climatechange
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about sea level rise
Male
Has not taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climatechange
Is not so or not at all convinced that sea levels are rising
Is not so or not at all convinced that climate change ishappening
Percent
Percent who think action should be taken before impacts of sea level rise occur:
218 Responsive Management
The graph on the previous page shows the demographic and attitudinal groups that are either
more (above the striped bar) or less (below the striped bar) likely to think that action should be
taken before impacts of sea level rise occur, relative to what residents as a whole think. Overall,
74.4% of Delaware residents think action should be taken before impacts of sea level rise occur
(striped bar). Those groups more inclined to think this are above that bar (for instance, 80.5% of
females think so); those groups less inclined to think so are below that bar (for instance, only
66.8% of males think so).
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 219
80
83 4 5
74
83
8 6
0
20
40
60
80
100
Before impactsoccur
As impacts begin After impactscause problems
Never / sealevels are not
rising
Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q80. When do you think action should be taken to address or reduce the impacts of sea level rise in the
area where you live in Delaware?
2009
2014
220 Responsive Management
54
22
5
4
14
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderately disagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q90. We should take immediate action to reduce the impacts of climate change. (Do you agree or
disagree with this statement?)
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 221
54
21
5
3
16
1
53
22
4
7
11
3
55
21
5
3
12
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderatelydisagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q90. We should take immediate action to reduce the impacts of climate change. (Do you agree or
disagree with this statement?)
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
222 Responsive Management
57
20
4
4
13
3
54
22
4
4
13
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderately disagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q90. We should take immediate action to reduce the impacts of climate change. (Do you agree or
disagree with this statement?)
Coastal Non-coastal
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 223
94.8
87.1
86.5
84.9
82.4
81.0
80.2
78.4
77.4
76.9
76.6
76.4
76.2
75.6
75.3
75.2
74.8
73.7
72.8
70.7
69.9
42.3
37.5
0 20 40 60 80 100
Has taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climate change
Is completely or mostly convinced that sea levels are rising
Is completely or mostly convinced that climate change ishappening
Disagrees that there is enough available information aboutsea level rise
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about sea level rise
Younger than the median age (48)
Female
Education level is at least a bachelor's degree
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about climatechange
Lives in Sussex County
Lives in a coastal area
Lives in a non-coastal area
Agrees that there is enough available information about sealevel rise
Total
Lives in New Castle County
Lives in Kent County
Education level is less than bachelor's degree
Knows a little or nothing about climate change
Knows a little or nothing about sea level rise
Male
Median age (48) or older
Is not so or not at all convinced that sea levels are rising
Is not so or not at all convinced that climate change ishappening
Percent
Percent of each of the following groups who agree (strongly or moderately) that we should
take immediate action to reduce climate change:
224 Responsive Management
The graph on the previous page shows the demographic and attitudinal groups that are either
more (above the striped bar) or less (below the striped bar) likely to agree that immediate action
to reduce climate change should be taken, relative to residents as a whole. Overall, 75.6% of
Delaware residents agree (striped bar). Those groups more inclined to agree are above that bar
(for instance, 80.2% of females agree); those groups less inclined to agree are below that bar (for
instance, only 70.7% of males agree).
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 225
35
26
3
13
20
3
54
22
5 4
14
2
0
20
40
60
80
100
Stronglyagree
Moderatelyagree
Neither agreenor disagree
Moderatelydisagree
Stronglydisagree
Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q90. Do you agree or disagree with this statement: We should take immediate [and drastic] action to reduce
the impacts of climate change.
2009
2014
226 Responsive Management
45
18
4
9
23
1
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderately disagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q91. We should conduct more research before taking any action to address climate change.
(Do you agree or disagree with this statement?)
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 227
46
15
4
9
25
1
42
28
2
9
18
1
44
20
4
9
20
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderatelydisagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q91. We should conduct more research before taking any action to address climate change.
(Do you agree or disagree with this statement?)
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
228 Responsive Management
41
23
3
9
21
3
47
17
4
9
22
1
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderatelydisagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q91. We should conduct more research before taking any action to address climate change.
(Do you agree or disagree with this statement?)
Coastal Non-coastal
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 229
41
26
1
1117
2
45
18
49
23
1
0
20
40
60
80
100
Stronglyagree
Moderatelyagree
Neither agreenor disagree
Moderatelydisagree
Stronglydisagree
Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q91. Do you agree or disagree with this statement: We should conduct more research before taking any
action to address climate change.
2009
2014
230 Responsive Management
49
22
4
6
15
4
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderately disagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q103. We should take immediate action to reduce the impacts of sea level rise. (Do you
agree or disagree with this statement?)
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 231
50
22
5
5
15
3
42
28
3
11
12
4
51
19
2
7
17
4
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderately disagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q103. We should take immediate action to reduce the impacts of sea level rise. (Do you
agree or disagree with this statement?)
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
232 Responsive Management
52
21
4
4
17
3
47
23
4
7
15
4
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderately disagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q103. We should take immediate action to reduce the impacts of sea level rise. (Do you
agree or disagree with this statement?)
Coastal Non-coastal
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 233
89.4
83.6
82.3
80.8
76.8
75.0
73.2
72.7
72.4
72.0
72.0
71.2
70.5
70.5
70.3
70.3
70.3
70.2
69.9
68.0
64.5
39.7
34.2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Has taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climate change
Disagrees that there is enough available information about…
Is completely or mostly convinced that sea levels are rising
Is completely or mostly convinced that climate change is…
Female
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about sea level rise
Younger than the median age (48)
Education level is less than bachelor's degree
Lives in a coastal area
Lives in New Castle County
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about climate…
Total
Education level is at least a bachelor's degree
Knows a little or nothing about climate change
Agrees that there is enough available information about sea…
Lives in Sussex County
Lives in a non-coastal area
Knows a little or nothing about sea level rise rise
Lives in Kent County
Median age (48) or older
Male
Is not so or not at all convinced that sea levels are rising
Is not so or not at all convinced that climate change is…
Percent
Percent of each of the following groups who agree (strongly or moderately) that we should
take immediate action to reduce the impacts of sea level rise:
234 Responsive Management
The graph on the previous page shows the demographic and attitudinal groups that are either
more (above the striped bar) or less (below the striped bar) likely to agree that we should take
immediate action to reduce the impacts of sea level rise, relative to residents as a whole. Overall,
71.2% of Delaware residents agree with this (striped bar). Those groups more inclined to agree
with this are above that bar (for instance, 76.8% of females agree); those groups less inclined to
agree are below that bar (for instance, only 64.5% of males agree).
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 235
35
23
3
13
21
4
49
22
4 6
15
4
0
20
40
60
80
100
Stronglyagree
Moderatelyagree
Neitheragree nordisagree
Moderatelydisagree
Stronglydisagree
Don't know
Perc
en
tQ103. Do you agree or disagree with this statement:
We should take immediate [and drastic] action to reduce the impacts of sea level rise.
2009
2014
236 Responsive Management
45
19
4
8
22
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderatelydisagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q104. We should conduct more research before taking any action to address sea level rise. (Do
you agree or disagree with this statement?)
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 237
46
17
4
9
22
2
44
25
2
10
16
4
42
21
3
5
26
4
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderately disagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q104. We should conduct more research before taking any action to address sea level rise. (Do
you agree or disagree with this statement?)
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
238 Responsive Management
47
13
4
6
27
3
44
21
3
9
21
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderately disagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q104. We should conduct more research before taking any action to address sea level rise. (Do
you agree or disagree with this statement?)
Coastal Non-coastal
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 239
43
28
3
915
2
45
19
48
22
3
0
20
40
60
80
100
Stronglyagree
Moderatelyagree
Neither agreenor disagree
Moderatelydisagree
Stronglydisagree
Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q104. Do you agree or disagree with this statement: We should conduct more research before taking any
action to address sea level rise.
2009
2014
240 Responsive Management
52
22
5
4
14
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderately disagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q100. The state of Delaware needs to conduct more research to identify the impacts of sea
level rise in Delaware.
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 241
53
19
7
3
15
3
49
27
2
8
11
3
52
25
3
4
14
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderately disagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q100. The state of Delaware needs to conduct more research to identify the impacts of sea
level rise in Delaware. (Do you agree or disagree with this statement?)
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
242 Responsive Management
57
23
3
5
8
4
51
21
6
4
16
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderately disagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q100. The state of Delaware needs to conduct more research to identify the impacts of sea
level rise in Delaware. (Do you agree or disagree with this statement?)
Coastal
Non-coastal
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 243
45
28
17
16
3
52
22
5 4
14
3
0
20
40
60
80
100
Strongly agree Moderatelyagree
Neither agreenor disagree
Moderatelydisagree
Stronglydisagree
Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q100. Do you agree or disagree with this statement: The state of Delaware needs to conduct more research
to identify the impacts of sea level rise in Delaware.
2009
2014
244 Responsive Management
63
62
50
46
41
38
38
34
29
24
0 20 40 60 80 100
Changing building codes and regulations toreduce risk in flood prone areas
Avoiding building new structures in areas atrisk from sea level rise
Increasing funding for research
Elevating buildings in areas at risk from sealevel rise using private funding
Allowing beaches and wetlands to naturallymigrate inland
Building dikes, seawalls, and bulkheads tokeep water back
Elevating the land surface in areas at riskfrom sea level rise
Elevating buildings in areas at risk from sealevel rise using government funds
Purchasing or acquiring land and open spaceat risk from sea level rise from willing land
sellers using government funds
Purchasing or buying out frequently floodedproperties using government funds
Percent
Q107-Q116. Percent of respondents who strongly support the following potential actions that could be taken to address sea level rise in
Delaware or reduce its impacts.
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 245
85
77
72
71
65
64
63
52
46
42
0 20 40 60 80 100
Changing building codes and regulations toreduce risk in flood prone areas
Avoiding building new structures in areas atrisk from sea level rise
Increasing funding for research
Elevating buildings in areas at risk from sealevel rise using private funding
Building dikes, seawalls, and bulkheads tokeep water back
Allowing beaches and wetlands to naturallymigrate inland
Elevating the land surface in areas at riskfrom sea level rise
Elevating buildings in areas at risk from sealevel rise using government funds
Purchasing or acquiring land and open spaceat risk from sea level rise from willing land
sellers using government funds
Purchasing or buying out frequently floodedproperties using government funds
Percent
Q107-Q116. Percent of respondents who strongly or moderately support the following
potential actions that could be taken to address sea level rise in Delaware or reduce its impacts.
246 Responsive Management
34
31
29
17
15
15
13
13
9
6
0 20 40 60 80 100
Purchasing or buying out frequently floodedproperties using government funds
Purchasing or acquiring land and open spaceat risk from sea level rise from willing land
sellers using government funds
Elevating buildings in areas at risk from sealevel rise using government funds
Elevating the land surface in areas at riskfrom sea level rise
Increasing funding for research
Elevating buildings in areas at risk from sealevel rise using private funding
Building dikes, seawalls, and bulkheads tokeep water back
Allowing beaches and wetlands to naturallymigrate inland
Avoiding building new structures in areas atrisk from sea level rise
Changing building codes and regulations toreduce risk in flood prone areas
Percent
Q107-Q116. Percent of respondents who strongly oppose the following potential actions that could be taken to address sea level rise in
Delaware or reduce its impacts.
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 247
45
43
39
26
24
22
20
19
14
9
0 20 40 60 80 100
Purchasing or buying out frequently floodedproperties using government funds
Purchasing or acquiring land and open spaceat risk from sea level rise from willing land
sellers using government funds
Elevating buildings in areas at risk from sealevel rise using government funds
Elevating the land surface in areas at riskfrom sea level rise
Building dikes, seawalls, and bulkheads tokeep water back
Allowing beaches and wetlands to naturallymigrate inland
Increasing funding for research
Elevating buildings in areas at risk from sealevel rise using private funding
Avoiding building new structures in areas atrisk from sea level rise
Changing building codes and regulations toreduce risk in flood prone areas
Percent
Q107-Q116. Percent of respondents who strongly or moderately oppose the following
potential actions that could be taken to address sea level rise in Delaware or reduce its impacts.
248 Responsive Management
67
66
50
50
41
38
37
36
32
27
57
52
42
54
41
36
27
41
21
19
59
58
39
46
38
39
31
38
28
18
0 20 40 60 80 100
Changing building codes and regulations toreduce risk in flood prone areas
Avoiding building new structures in areas atrisk from sea level rise
Elevating buildings in areas at risk from sealevel rise using private funding
Increasing funding for research
Allowing beaches and wetlands to naturallymigrate inland
Building dikes, seawalls, and bulkheads tokeep water back
Elevating buildings in areas at risk from sealevel rise using government funds
Elevating the land surface in areas at riskfrom sea level rise
Purchasing or acquiring land and open spaceat risk from sea level rise from willing land
sellers using government funds
Purchasing or buying out frequently floodedproperties using government funds
Percent
Q107-Q116. Percent of respondents who strongly support the following potential actions that could be taken to address sea level rise in
Delaware or reduce its impacts.
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 249
88
78
72
71
64
63
61
55
47
46
81
75
78
75
65
69
65
48
35
47
81
76
69
67
62
68
64
47
34
44
0 20 40 60 80 100
Changing building codes and regulations toreduce risk in flood prone areas
Avoiding building new structures in areas atrisk from sea level rise
Increasing funding for research
Elevating buildings in areas at risk from sealevel rise using private funding
Allowing beaches and wetlands to naturallymigrate inland
Building dikes, seawalls, and bulkheads tokeep water back
Elevating the land surface in areas at riskfrom sea level rise
Elevating buildings in areas at risk from sealevel rise using government funds
Purchasing or buying out frequently floodedproperties using government funds
Purchasing or acquiring land and open spaceat risk from sea level rise from willing land
sellers using government funds
Percent
Q107-Q116. Percent of respondents who strongly or moderately support the following
potential actions that could be taken to address sea level rise in Delaware or reduce its impacts.
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
250 Responsive Management
31
30
26
17
15
14
14
12
9
5
42
31
33
19
13
14
12
7
11
7
36
33
32
18
18
16
13
18
10
8
0 20 40 60 80 100
Purchasing or buying out frequently floodedproperties using government funds
Purchasing or acquiring land and openspace at risk from sea level rise from willing
land sellers using government funds
Elevating buildings in areas at risk from sealevel rise using government funds
Elevating the land surface in areas at riskfrom sea level rise
Increasing funding for research
Elevating buildings in areas at risk from sealevel rise using private funding
Building dikes, seawalls, and bulkheads tokeep water back
Allowing beaches and wetlands to naturallymigrate inland
Avoiding building new structures in areas atrisk from sea level rise
Changing building codes and regulations toreduce risk in flood prone areas
Percent
Q107-Q116. Percent of respondents who strongly oppose the following potential actions that could be taken to address sea level rise in
Delaware or reduce its impacts.
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 251
43
40
35
26
26
21
21
19
13
6
44
54
43
21
28
16
23
18
18
13
42
51
46
22
25
22
24
22
15
12
0 20 40 60 80 100
Purchasing or acquiring land and open spaceat risk from sea level rise from willing land
sellers using government funds
Purchasing or buying out frequently floodedproperties using government funds
Elevating buildings in areas at risk from sealevel rise using government funds
Building dikes, seawalls, and bulkheads tokeep water back
Elevating the land surface in areas at riskfrom sea level rise
Increasing funding for research
Allowing beaches and wetlands to naturallymigrate inland
Elevating buildings in areas at risk from sealevel rise using private funding
Avoiding building new structures in areas atrisk from sea level rise
Changing building codes and regulations toreduce risk in flood prone areas
Percent
Q107-Q116. Percent of respondents who strongly or moderately oppose the following
potential actions that could be taken to address sea level rise in Delaware or reduce its impacts.
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
252 Responsive Management
65
59
55
46
45
44
42
34
30
26
65
63
49
40
48
37
37
34
28
23
0 20 40 60 80 100
Changing building codes and regulations toreduce risk in flood prone areas
Avoiding building new structures in areas at riskfrom sea level rise
Increasing funding for research
Allowing beaches and wetlands to naturallymigrate inland
Elevating buildings in areas at risk from sea levelrise using private funding
Building dikes, seawalls, and bulkheads to keepwater back
Elevating the land surface in areas at risk fromsea level rise
Elevating buildings in areas at risk from sea levelrise using government funds
Purchasing or acquiring land and open space atrisk from sea level rise from willing land sellers
using government funds
Purchasing or buying out frequently floodedproperties using government funds
Percent
Q107-Q116. Percent of respondents who strongly support the following potential actions that could be taken to address sea level rise in
Delaware or reduce its impacts.
Coastal
Non-coastal
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 253
81
75
74
73
68
67
65
51
51
49
87
78
72
71
64
65
62
53
44
40
0 20 40 60 80 100
Changing building codes and regulations toreduce risk in flood prone areas
Avoiding building new structures in areas at riskfrom sea level rise
Increasing funding for research
Elevating buildings in areas at risk from sea levelrise using private funding
Allowing beaches and wetlands to naturallymigrate inland
Building dikes, seawalls, and bulkheads to keepwater back
Elevating the land surface in areas at risk fromsea level rise
Elevating buildings in areas at risk from sea levelrise using government funds
Purchasing or acquiring land and open space atrisk from sea level rise from willing land sellers
using government funds
Purchasing or buying out frequently floodedproperties using government funds
Percent
Q107-Q116. Percent of respondents who strongly or moderately support the following
potential actions that could be taken to address sea level rise in Delaware or reduce its impacts.
Coastal
Non-coastal
254 Responsive Management
32
29
24
18
16
16
15
13
12
7
30
35
29
16
12
15
13
14
9
6
0 20 40 60 80 100
Purchasing or acquiring land and open space atrisk from sea level rise from willing land sellers
using government funds
Purchasing or buying out frequently floodedproperties using government funds
Elevating buildings in areas at risk from sea levelrise using government funds
Elevating the land surface in areas at risk fromsea level rise
Allowing beaches and wetlands to naturallymigrate inland
Increasing funding for research
Building dikes, seawalls, and bulkheads to keepwater back
Elevating buildings in areas at risk from sea levelrise using private funding
Avoiding building new structures in areas at riskfrom sea level rise
Changing building codes and regulations toreduce risk in flood prone areas
Percent
Q107-Q116. Percent of respondents who strongly oppose the following potential actions that could be taken to address sea level rise in
Delaware or reduce its impacts.
Coastal
Non-coastal
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 255
39
37
37
23
23
22
18
17
17
12
39
47
44
26
25
21
19
14
21
8
0 20 40 60 80 100
Elevating buildings in areas at risk from sea levelrise using government funds
Purchasing or buying out frequently floodedproperties using government funds
Purchasing or acquiring land and open space atrisk from sea level rise from willing land sellers
using government funds
Elevating the land surface in areas at risk fromsea level rise
Building dikes, seawalls, and bulkheads to keepwater back
Allowing beaches and wetlands to naturallymigrate inland
Elevating buildings in areas at risk from sea levelrise using private funding
Avoiding building new structures in areas at riskfrom sea level rise
Increasing funding for research
Changing building codes and regulations toreduce risk in flood prone areas
Percent
Q107-Q116. Percent of respondents who strongly or moderately oppose the following
potential actions that could be taken to address sea level rise in Delaware or reduce its impacts.
Coastal
Non-coastal
256 Responsive Management
83.1
81.4
81.2
80.2
78.4
78.0
76.3
75.4
74.6
74.3
73.4
72.6
72.3
72.3
71.8
70.9
69.7
68.6
68.6
68.0
64.8
64.7
53.4
43.3
0 20 40 60 80 100
Has taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climate change
Is completely or mostly convinced that climate change is…
Disagrees that there is enough available information about…
Is completely or mostly convinced that sea levels are rising
Lives in Kent County
Younger than the median age (48)
Knows a little or nothing about sea level rise
Knows a little or nothing about climate change
Female
Lives in a coastal area
Education level is at least a bachelor's degree
Education level is less than bachelor's degree
Lives in a non-coastal area
Total
Lives in New Castle County
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about climate…
Male
Agrees that there is enough available information about sea…
Lives in Sussex County
Median age (48) or older
Has not taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climate…
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about sea level rise
Is not so or not at all convinced that sea levels are rising
Is not so or not at all convinced that climate change is…
Percent
Percent of each of the following group who support increasing funding for research to address sea rise in Delaware or reduce its
impacts:
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 257
The graph on the previous page shows the demographic and attitudinal groups that are either
more (above the striped bar) or less (below the striped bar) likely to support increasing funding
for research to address sea level rise or reduce its impacts, relative to residents as a whole.
Overall, 72.3% of Delaware residents support this (striped bar). Those groups more inclined to
support this are above that bar (for instance, 78.4% of Kent County residents support); those
groups less inclined to support are below that bar (for instance, only 68.6% of Sussex County
residents support).
258 Responsive Management
58.2
52.1
50.9
50.6
50.4
50.0
49.7
47.3
46.8
46.6
46.4
45.8
45.7
45.2
44.8
44.5
44.5
43.8
43.1
39.8
37.6
30.4
29.3
0 20 40 60 80 100
Has taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climate change
Is completely or mostly convinced that sea levels are rising
Lives in a coastal area
Is completely or mostly convinced that climate change ishappening
Education level is at least a bachelor's degree
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about sea level rise
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about climatechange
Median age (48) or older
Lives in Kent County
Female
Lives in New Castle County
Total
Disagrees that there is enough available information about sealevel rise
Agrees that there is enough available information about sealevel rise
Male
Education level is less than bachelor's degree
Lives in a non-coastal area
Lives in Sussex County
Knows a little or nothing about sea level rise
Knows a little or nothing about climate change
Has not taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climatechange
Is not so or not at all convinced that climate change ishappening
Is not so or not at all convinced that sea levels are rising
Percent
Percent of each of the following groups who support purchasing or acquiring land and open space at risk
from sea level rise from willing land sellers using government funds to address sea rise in Delaware or
reduce its impacts:
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 259
The graph on the previous page shows the demographic and attitudinal groups that are either
more (above the striped bar) or less (below the striped bar) likely to support purchasing or
acquiring land and open space at risk from sea level rise using government funds, relative to
residents as a whole. Overall, 45.8% of Delaware residents support this (striped bar). Those
groups more inclined to support this are above that bar (for instance, 50.9% of those who live in
a coastal area support); those groups less inclined to support are below that bar (for instance,
only 43.8% of Sussex County residents support).
260 Responsive Management
51.6
49.0
48.6
47.2
47.2
47.0
46.6
46.4
44.5
44.5
43.3
42.4
42.1
41.9
41.7
41.6
40.3
39.2
36.6
35.3
33.7
26.4
23.9
0 20 40 60 80 100
Has taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climate change
Lives in a coastal area
Is completely or mostly convinced that sea levels are rising
Lives in New Castle County
Is completely or mostly convinced that climate change is…
Education level is at least a bachelor's degree
Disagrees that there is enough available information about…
Younger than the median age (48)
Agrees that there is enough available information about sea…
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about sea level rise
Knows a little or nothing about climate change
Male
Total
Education level is less than bachelor's degree
Female
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about climate…
Lives in a non-coastal area
Median age (48) or older
Knows a little or nothing about sea level rise
Lives in Kent County
Lives in Sussex County
Is not so or not at all convinced that sea levels are rising
Is not so or not at all convinced that climate change is…
Percent
Percent of each of the following groups who support purchasing or buying out frequently
flooded properties using government funds to address sea rise in Delaware or reduce its
impacts:
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 261
The graph on the previous page shows the demographic and attitudinal groups that are either
more (above the striped bar) or less (below the striped bar) likely to support purchasing or
buying out frequently flooded properties using government funds, relative to residents as a
whole. Overall, 42.1% of Delaware residents support this (striped bar). Those groups more
inclined to support this are above that bar (for instance, 49.0% of those who live in a coastal area
support); those groups less inclined to support are below that bar (for instance, only 35.3% of
Kent County residents support).
262 Responsive Management
60.1
59.6
59.3
57.8
56.8
56.5
55.3
53.5
52.6
52.3
52.2
52.1
52.0
51.1
50.4
50.4
49.0
49.0
48.2
46.6
46.5
31.7
30.9
0 20 40 60 80 100
Is completely or mostly convinced that sea levels are rising
Has taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climate change
Younger than the median age (48)
Disagrees that there is enough available information about…
Education level is less than bachelor's degree
Is completely or mostly convinced that climate change is…
Lives in New Castle County
Female
Lives in a non-coastal area
Knows a little or nothing about climate change
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about climate…
Total
Knows a little or nothing about sea level rise
Lives in a coastal area
Agrees that there is enough available information about sea…
Male
Education level is at least a bachelor's degree
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about sea level rise
Lives in Kent County
Median age (48) or older
Lives in Sussex County
Is not so or not at all convinced that climate change is…
Is not so or not at all convinced that sea levels are rising
Percent
Percent of each of the following groups who support about elevating buildings in areas at
risk from sea level rise using government funds to address sea rise in Delaware or reduce its
impacts:
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 263
The graph on the previous page shows the demographic and attitudinal groups that are either
more (above the striped bar) or less (below the striped bar) likely to support elevating buildings
in areas at risk from sea level rise using government funds, relative to residents as a whole.
Overall, 52.1% of Delaware residents support this (striped bar). Those groups more inclined to
support this are above that bar (for instance, 55.3% of New Castle County residents support);
those groups less inclined to support are below that bar (for instance, only 46.5% of Sussex
County residents support).
264 Responsive Management
78.2
77.4
76.9
76.8
76.6
74.8
74.2
73.5
72.6
71.5
71.4
71.4
71.3
71.1
71.1
70.8
70.7
70.1
69.8
67.3
65.5
59.0
56.2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about sea level rise
Has taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climate change
Disagrees that there is enough available information about…
Is completely or mostly convinced that sea levels are rising
Education level is at least a bachelor's degree
Lives in Kent County
Is completely or mostly convinced that climate change is…
Younger than the median age (48)
Lives in a coastal area
Agrees that there is enough available information about sea…
Female
Lives in a non-coastal area
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about climate…
Education level is less than bachelor's degree
Median age (48) or older
Lives in New Castle County
Total
Knows a little or nothing about climate change
Male
Lives in Sussex County
Knows a little or nothing about sea level rise
Is not so or not at all convinced that sea levels are rising
Is not so or not at all convinced that climate change is…
Percent
Percent of each of the following groups who support elevating buildings in areas at risk from sea level rise using private funding to address
sea rise in Delaware or reduce its impacts:
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 265
The graph on the previous page shows the demographic and attitudinal groups that are either
more (above the striped bar) or less (below the striped bar) likely to support elevating buildings
in areas at risk from sea level rise using private funds, relative to residents as a whole. Overall,
70.7% of Delaware residents support this (striped bar). Those groups more inclined to support
this are above that bar (for instance, 74.8% of Kent County residents support); those groups less
inclined to support are below that bar (for instance, only 67.3% of Sussex County residents
support).
266 Responsive Management
73.1
70.0
67.9
67.2
67.2
66.9
66.1
65.4
65.3
64.9
64.0
63.9
63.6
62.5
62.4
61.8
61.1
59.3
58.7
56.0
55.6
50.3
50.1
0 20 40 60 80 100
Disagrees that there is enough available information about sealevel rise
Younger than the median age (48)
Female
Agrees that there is enough available information about sealevel rise
Is completely or mostly convinced that sea levels are rising
Education level is less than bachelor's degree
Is completely or mostly convinced that climate change ishappening
Lives in Kent County
Lives in a coastal area
Knows a little or nothing about sea level rise
Lives in Sussex County
Has taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climate change
Knows a little or nothing about climate change
Total
Lives in a non-coastal area
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about climatechange
Lives in New Castle County
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about sea level rise
Education level is at least a bachelor's degree
Male
Median age (48) or older
Is not so or not at all convinced that sea levels are rising
Is not so or not at all convinced that climate change ishappening
Percent
Percent of each of the following groups who support elevating the land surface in areas at risk from sea level rise to address sea rise in
Delaware or reduce its impacts:
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 267
The graph on the previous page shows the demographic and attitudinal groups that are either
more (above the striped bar) or less (below the striped bar) likely to support elevating the land
surface in areas at risk from sea level rise, relative to residents as a whole. Overall, 62.5% of
Delaware residents support this (striped bar). Those groups more inclined to support this are
above that bar (for instance, 67.9% of females support); those groups less inclined to support are
below that bar (for instance, only 56.0% of males support).
268 Responsive Management
83.3
82.6
82.3
81.2
81.1
80.5
78.9
77.8
77.6
77.6
76.9
76.7
76.3
76.1
75.7
75.0
75.0
74.6
74.5
73.0
71.9
65.4
56.8
0 20 40 60 80 100
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about sea levelrise
Has taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climatechange
Disagrees that there is enough available information aboutsea level rise
Is completely or mostly convinced that climate change ishappening
Female
Is completely or mostly convinced that sea levels are rising
Median age (48) or older
Lives in a non-coastal area
Lives in New Castle County
Education level is less than bachelor's degree
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about climatechange
Total
Knows a little or nothing about climate change
Education level is at least a bachelor's degree
Lives in Sussex County
Younger than the median age (48)
Knows a little or nothing about sea level rise
Lives in Kent County
Lives in a coastal area
Agrees that there is enough available information about sealevel rise
Male
Is not so or not at all convinced that sea levels are rising
Is not so or not at all convinced that climate change ishappening
Percent
Percent of each of the following groups who support about avoiding building new structures
in areas at risk from sea level rise to address sea rise in Delaware or reduce its impacts:
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 269
The graph on the previous page shows the demographic and attitudinal groups that are either
more (above the striped bar) or less (below the striped bar) likely to support avoiding building
new structures in areas at risk from sea level rise, relative to residents as a whole. Overall,
76.7% of Delaware residents support this (striped bar). Those groups more inclined to support
this are above that bar (for instance, 81.1% of females support); those groups less inclined to
support are below that bar (for instance, only 71.9% of males support).
270 Responsive Management
91.9
90.3
89.6
89.2
89.0
88.9
88.4
87.9
86.8
86.7
85.9
85.3
85.1
84.7
84.7
83.6
82.6
81.7
81.2
81.2
80.6
71.7
69.2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Has taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climate change
Disagrees that there is enough available information about sealevel rise
Is completely or mostly convinced that sea levels are rising
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about sea level rise
Is completely or mostly convinced that climate change ishappening
Younger than the median age (48)
Female
Lives in New Castle County
Education level is at least a bachelor's degree
Lives in a non-coastal area
Knows a little or nothing about sea level rise
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about climatechange
Total
Knows a little or nothing about climate change
Education level is less than bachelor's degree
Agrees that there is enough available information about sealevel rise
Median age (48) or older
Male
Lives in Kent County
Lives in a coastal area
Lives in Sussex County
Is not so or not at all convinced that sea levels are rising
Is not so or not at all convinced that climate change ishappening
Percent
Percent of each of the following groups who support changing building codes and
regulations to reduce risk in flood prone areas to address sea rise in Delaware or reduce its
impacts:
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 271
The graph on the previous page shows the demographic and attitudinal groups that are either
more (above the striped bar) or less (below the striped bar) likely to support changing building
codes and regulations to reduce risk in flood prone areas, relative to residents as a whole.
Overall, 85.1% of Delaware residents support this (striped bar). Those groups more inclined to
support this are above that bar (for instance, 88.4% of females support); those groups less
inclined to support are below that bar (for instance, only 80.6% of Sussex County residents
support).
272 Responsive Management
76.5
67.9
67.6
67.4
66.7
66.7
66.2
65.8
65.3
64.7
64.1
63.9
63.8
63.6
63.5
63.4
62.2
62.1
62.0
61.4
59.8
58.6
58.1
0 20 40 60 80 100
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about sea level rise
Younger than the median age (48)
Lives in a coastal area
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about climatechange
Is completely or mostly convinced that sea levels are rising
Education level is at least a bachelor's degree
Male
Has taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climate change
Lives in Kent County
Is completely or mostly convinced that climate change ishappening
Lives in New Castle County
Agrees that there is enough available information about sealevel rise
Total
Lives in a non-coastal area
Knows a little or nothing about sea level rise
Disagrees that there is enough available information about sealevel rise
Education level is less than bachelor's degree
Median age (48) or older
Lives in Sussex County
Female
Is not so or not at all convinced that climate change ishappening
Knows a little or nothing about climate change
Is not so or not at all convinced that sea levels are rising
Percent
Percent of each of the following groups who support allowing beaches and wetlands to
naturally migrate inland to address sea rise in Delaware or reduce its impacts:
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 273
The graph on the previous page shows the demographic and attitudinal groups that are either
more (above the striped bar) or less (below the striped bar) likely to support allowing beaches
and wetlands to naturally migrate inland, relative to residents as a whole. Overall, 63.8% of
Delaware residents support this (striped bar). Those groups more inclined to support this are
above that bar (for instance, 67.6% of those who live in a coastal area support); those groups less
inclined to support are below that bar (for instance, only 62.0% of Sussex County residents
support).
274 Responsive Management
29 30
712
15
7
41
23
69
138
0
20
40
60
80
100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neithersupport nor
oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Stronglyoppose
Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q107. Do you support or oppose allowing beaches and wetlands to naturally migrate inland to address sea
level rise in Delaware or reduce its impacts?
2009
2014
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 275
33 32
69
17
4
38
28
611
13
5
0
20
40
60
80
100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neithersupport nor
oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Stronglyoppose
Don't know
Perc
en
tQ108. Do you support or oppose building dikes,
seawalls, and bulkheads to keep water back to address sea level rise in Delaware or reduce its impacts?
2009
2014
276 Responsive Management
63
21
3 27
4
63
22
3 36
3
0
20
40
60
80
100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neithersupport nor
oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Stronglyoppose
Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q109. Do you support or oppose changing building codes and regulations to reduce risk in flood prone
areas to address sea level rise in Delaware or reduce its impacts?
2009
2014
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 277
67
18
2 47
2
62
15
5 59
4
0
20
40
60
80
100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neithersupport nor
oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Stronglyoppose
Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q110. Do you support or oppose avoiding building new structures in areas at risk from sea level rise to address sea level rise in Delaware or reduce its
impacts?
2009
2014
278 Responsive Management
3024
512
23
5
38
25
69
17
6
0
20
40
60
80
100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neithersupport nor
oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Stronglyoppose
Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q111. Do you support or oppose elevating the land surface in areas at risk from sea level rise to address
sea level rise in Delaware or reduce its impacts?
2009
2012
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 279
40
30
8 5
14
4
46
25
5 5
15
5
0
20
40
60
80
100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neithersupport nor
oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Stronglyoppose
Don't know
Perc
en
tQ112. Do you support or oppose elevating buildings in areas at risk from sea level rise using private funding
to address sea level rise in Delaware or reduce its impacts?
2009
2014
280 Responsive Management
1821
5
12
40
4
34
18
410
29
5
0
20
40
60
80
100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neithersupport nor
oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Stronglyoppose
Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q113. Do you support or oppose elevating buildings in areas at risk from sea level rise using government
funds to address sea level rise in Delaware or reduce its impacts?
2009
2014
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 281
16
22
5
13
38
6
2418
711
34
6
0
20
40
60
80
100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neithersupport nor
oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Stronglyoppose
Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q114. Do you support or oppose purchasing or buying out frequently flooded properties using government
funds to address sea level rise in Delaware or reduce its impacts?
2009
2014
282 Responsive Management
2125
512
31
6
29
17
712
31
5
0
20
40
60
80
100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neithersupport nor
oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Stronglyoppose
Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q115. Do you support or oppose purchasing or acquiring land and open space at risk from sea level rise from willing land sellers using government funds
to address sea level rise in Delaware or reduce its impacts?
2009
2014
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 283
44
30
4 6
15
2
50
22
5 5
15
2
0
20
40
60
80
100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neithersupport nor
oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Stronglyoppose
Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q116. Do you support or oppose increasing funding for research to address sea level rise in Delaware or
reduce its impacts?
2009
2014
284 Responsive Management
46
24
6
5
15
5
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Don't know
Percent
Q117. Please consider that your local and state governments in Delaware could construct public
buildings and other structures, such as roads and sewer systems, to withstand or accommodate sea level
rise but that doing so would be more expensive than constructing structures that could not. Would you
support or oppose your local and state governments spending more money on public construction projects
if it meant the structures could withstand or accommodate sea level rise in Delaware?
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 285
47
23
6
3
14
6
42
28
5
6
16
4
44
22
7
6
16
5
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderately support
Neither support noroppose
Moderately oppose
Strongly oppose
Don't know
Percent
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
Q117. Please consider that your local and state governments in Delaware could construct public
buildings and other structures, such as roads and sewer systems, to withstand or accommodate sea
level rise but that doing so would be more expensive than constructing structures that could not. Would you
support or oppose your local and state governments spending more money on public construction projects
if it meant the structures could withstand or accommodate sea level rise in Delaware?
286 Responsive Management
46
24
6
2
18
4
46
23
6
5
14
5
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderately support
Neither support noroppose
Moderately oppose
Strongly oppose
Don't know
Percent
Coastal Non-coastal
Q117. Please consider that your local and state governments in Delaware could construct public
buildings and other structures, such as roads and sewer systems, to withstand or accommodate sea
level rise but that doing so would be more expensive than constructing structures that could not. Would
you support or oppose your local and state governments spending more money on public
construction projects if it meant the structures could withstand or accommodate sea level rise in Delaware?
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 287
3430
7 7
18
4
46
24
6 5
15
5
0
20
40
60
80
100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neithersupport nor
oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Stronglyoppose
Don't know
Perc
en
t
2009
2014
Q117. Please consider that your local and state governments in Delaware could construct public buildings and other structures, such as roads and sewer systems, to withstand or accommodate sea level rise but that doing so would be more expensive than constructing structures that could not. Would you support or oppose your local and state governments spending
more money on public construction projects if it meant the structures could withstand or accommodate sea level rise in Delaware?
288 Responsive Management
12
21
4
14
47
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderately support
Neither support noroppose
Moderately oppose
Strongly oppose
Don't know
Percent
Q118. What if you knew it would save money or be less costly long-term for Delaware to construct
structures to withstand or accommodate sea level rise? (Asked of those who oppose spending more
money on public construction projects if it meant the structures could withstand or accommodate sea level
rise in Delaware.)
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 289
12
19
5
14
46
3
9
30
2
9
49
2
14
17
2
19
46
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderately support
Neither support noroppose
Moderately oppose
Strongly oppose
Don't know
Percent
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
Q118. What if you knew it would save money or be less costly long-term for Delaware to construct
structures to withstand or accommodate sea level rise? (Asked of those who oppose spending more
money on public construction projects if it meant the structures could withstand or accommodate sea level
rise in Delaware.)
290 Responsive Management
19
13
2
5
59
2
11
22
4
17
44
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderately support
Neither support noroppose
Moderately oppose
Strongly oppose
Don't know
Percent
Coastal Non-coastal
Q118. What if you knew it would save money or be less costly long-term for Delaware to construct structures
to withstand or accommodate sea level rise? (Asked of those who oppose spending more money on public
construction projects if it meant the structures could withstand or accommodate sea level rise in Delaware.)
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 291
11
21
612
46
4
12
21
4
14
47
2
0
20
40
60
80
100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neithersupport nor
oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Stronglyoppose
Don't know
Perc
en
t
2009
2014
Q118. What if you knew it would save money or be less costly long-term for Delaware to construct structures to
withstand or accommodate sea level rise?
292 Responsive Management
RESPONSIBILITY FOR TAKING ACTION
� The survey presented five entities and asked whether each should be doing more to address
or reduce the impacts of sea level rise in Delaware. In looking at the percentages who say
that the entities should be doing much more, there is little separation between the top four
entities: business and industry (43% say that they should do much more), the federal
government (41%), the state government (40%), and the local/county government (38%). At
the bottom are Delaware’s residents (34% of residents say that Delaware’s residents should
be doing much more).
• Most of the entities asked about in 2014 differed from those asked about in 2009. For the
two entities that were comparable (corporations and industry / business and industry,
Delaware citizens / Delaware’s residents), the trends analysis shows little variation in the
results from 2009 to 2014.
o Four graphs are shown: the percentages who say much more, the percentages who
say much or somewhat more, the percentages who say much less, and the percentages
who say much or somewhat less.
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 293
43
41
40
38
34
0 20 40 60 80 100
Business andindustry
Federal government
Delaware’s state government
Local or countygovernment
Delaware'sresidents
Percent
Q121-125. Percent of respondents who think each of the following should be doing much
more to address or reduce the impacts of sea level rise in Delaware.
294 Responsive Management
69
63
63
63
63
0 20 40 60 80 100
Business andindustry
Local or countygovernment
Delaware’s state government
Delaware'sresidents
Federal government
Percent
Q121-125. Percent of respondents who think each of the following should be doing much or
somewhat more to address or reduce the impacts of sea level rise in Delaware.
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 295
6
4
4
4
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
Federal government
Local or countygovernment
Delaware'sresidents
Delaware’s state government
Business andindustry
Percent
Q121-125. Percent of respondents who think each of the following should be doing much less to address or reduce the impacts of sea
level rise in Delaware.
296 Responsive Management
10
6
6
6
5
0 20 40 60 80 100
Federal government
Delaware'sresidents
Delaware’s state government
Local or countygovernment
Business andindustry
Percent
Q121-125. Percent of respondents who think each of the following should be doing much or
somewhat less to address or reduce the impacts of sea level rise in Delaware.
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 297
45
43
42
41
35
40
38
39
33
34
38
35
40
34
30
0 20 40 60 80 100
Business andindustry
Delaware’s state government
Federal government
Local or countygovernment
Delaware'sresidents
Percent
Q121-125. Percent of respondents who think each of the following should be doing much
more to address or reduce the impacts of sea level rise in Delaware.
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
298 Responsive Management
71
66
65
65
64
67
59
60
62
59
65
61
60
59
62
0 20 40 60 80 100
Business andindustry
Local or countygovernment
Federal government
Delaware's residents
Delaware’s state government
Percent
Q121-125. Percent of respondents who think each of the following should be doing much or
somewhat more to address or reduce the impacts of sea level rise in Delaware.
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 299
5
4
4
4
3
7
4
4
5
3
7
4
5
5
4
0 20 40 60 80 100
Federal government
Delaware’s state government
Delaware'sresidents
Local or countygovernment
Business andindustry
Percent
Q121-125. Percent of respondents who think each of the following should be doing much less to address or reduce the impacts of sea
level rise in Delaware.
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
300 Responsive Management
9
6
5
5
4
10
7
7
8
5
11
6
8
8
7
0 20 40 60 80 100
Federal government
Delaware’s state government
Delaware'sresidents
Local or countygovernment
Business andindustry
Percent
Q121-125. Percent of respondents who think each of the following should be doing much or
somewhat less to address or reduce the impacts of sea level rise in Delaware.
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 301
49
45
43
40
32
42
40
41
38
35
0 20 40 60 80 100
Business andindustry
Federal government
Delaware’s state government
Local or countygovernment
Delaware's residents
Percent
Q121-125. Percent of respondents who think each of the following should be doing much
more to address or reduce the impacts of sea level rise in Delaware.
Coastal
Non-coastal
302 Responsive Management
71
70
68
66
65
69
62
62
64
62
0 20 40 60 80 100
Business andindustry
Delaware’s state government
Delaware's residents
Local or countygovernment
Federal government
Percent
Q121-125. Percent of respondents who think each of the following should be doing much or
somewhat more to address or reduce the impacts of sea level rise in Delaware.
Coastal
Non-coastal
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 303
4
4
4
3
3
7
5
4
4
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
Federal government
Local or countygovernment
Delaware's residents
Delaware’s state government
Business and industry
Percent
Q121-125. Percent of respondents who think each of the following should be doing much less to address or reduce the impacts of sea
level rise in Delaware.
Coastal
Non-coastal
304 Responsive Management
7
6
6
5
5
10
6
6
5
7
0 20 40 60 80 100
Federal government
Delaware'sresidents
Local or countygovernment
Business andindustry
Delaware’s state government
Percent
Q121-125. Percent of respondents who think each of the following should be doing much or
somewhat less to address or reduce the impacts of sea level rise in Delaware.
Coastal
Non-coastal
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 305
39
26
13
5 4
13
43
26
15
2 3
11
0
20
40
60
80
100
Much more Somewhatmore
About the rightamount
Somewhatless
Much less Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q124. Do you think corporations and industry should be doing more or less to address or reduce the impacts of sea level rise in Delaware or are they
currently doing about the right amount?
2009
2014
306 Responsive Management
32 33
17
2 3
14
3429
22
2 49
0
20
40
60
80
100
Much more Somewhatmore
About theright amount
Somewhatless
Much less Don't know
Perc
en
tQ125. Do you think Delaware citizens should be doing more or less to address or reduce the impacts of sea
level rise in Delaware or are they currently doing about the right amount?
2009
2014
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 307
PERSONAL ACTIONS TAKEN RELATED TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND SEA LEVEL RISE
� About 2 in 5 Delaware residents (41% of them) say that they have personally taken action
within the past 2 years to try to reduce climate change.
• Note that 30% of residents do not believe that personal actions can help mitigate the
impacts of climate change. If it is assumed that they did not take any action, 56% of
residents did not take any action to try to reduce climate change.
o That 56% includes those who may have taken a conservation action that mitigates
climate change/sea level rise without consciously doing it for that reason (they may
have had another reason for taking the action).
� The survey presented six things that people could have done pertaining to addressing sea
level rise or learning more about sea level rise. The majority of residents have read a
newspaper or magazine article about sea level rise (53%), and nearly half have had a
conversation with a friend or family member about sea level rise (45%). Lesser percentages
have read about sea level rise on social media (29%), have visited a website for sea level rise
information (24%), have read a brochure or handout about sea level rise (17%), or have
attended a public meeting or workshop about sea level rise (7%).
308 Responsive Management
41
2
26
30
0 20 40 60 80 100
Yes
Don't know
No
Think that personalactions cannot help
(did not get question)
Percent
Q95. Have you personally taken action in the past 2 years to try to reduce climate change?
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 309
43
26
3
29
40
26
1
33
39
29
2
30
0 20 40 60 80 100
Yes
No
Don't know
Thinks that personalactions cannot help
(did not get question)
Percent
Q95. Have you personally taken action in the past 2 years to try to reduce climate change?
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
310 Responsive Management
41
23
2
33
42
27
2
28
0 20 40 60 80 100
Yes
No
Don't know
Thinks that personalactions cannot help (did
not get question)
Percent
Q95. Have you personally taken action in the past 2 years to try to reduce climate change?
Coastal
Non-coastal
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 311
47.9
47.5
47.4
46.8
46.6
46.6
45.5
43.2
42.9
42.7
42.0
41.5
41.2
40.2
39.8
39.7
39.6
38.9
38.6
33.1
24.1
16.6
0 20 40 60 80 100
Is completely or mostly convinced that climate change ishappening
Is completely or mostly convinced that sea levels are rising
Education level is at least a bachelor's degree
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about climatechange
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about sea level rise
Younger than the median age (48)
Disagrees that there is enough available information aboutsea level rise
Female
Lives in New Castle County
Agrees that there is enough available information about sealevel rise
Lives in a non-coastal area
Total
Lives in a coastal area
Lives in Kent County
Male
Education level is less than bachelor's degree
Median age (48) or older
Lives in Sussex County
Knows a little or nothing about sea level rise
Knows a little or nothing about climate change
Is not so or not at all convinced that sea levels are rising
Is not so or not at all convinced that climate change ishappening
Percent
Percent of each of the following groups who have personally taken action in the past 2 years
to reduce climate change:
312 Responsive Management
The graph on the previous page shows the demographic and attitudinal groups that are either
more (above the striped bar) or less (below the striped bar) likely to have personally taken action
to reduce climate change, relative to residents as a whole. Overall, 41.5% of Delaware residents
have taken action (striped bar). Those groups more inclined to have taken action are above that
bar (for instance, 46.6% of those people younger than the median age have taken action); those
groups less inclined to have taken action are below that bar (for instance, only 39.8% of males
have taken action).
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 313
53
45
29
24
17
7
25
0 20 40 60 80 100
Read a newspaper or magazine articleabout sea level rise
Had a conversation with a friend or familymember about sea level rise
Read about sea level rise on social media
Visited a website for sea level riseinformation
Read a brochure or handout about sealevel rise
Attended a public meeting or workshopon sea level rise
None of these
Percent
Mu
ltip
le R
es
po
ns
es
All
ow
ed
Q134. In the past 12 months, have you done any of the following?
314 Responsive Management
55
46
29
25
15
6
25
47
35
32
21
16
6
28
54
48
29
25
24
9
23
0 20 40 60 80 100
Read a newspaper or magazine articleabout sea level rise
Had a conversation with a friend or familymember about sea level rise
Read about sea level rise on social media
Visited a website for sea level riseinformation
Read a brochure or handout about sealevel rise
Attended a public meeting or workshopon sea level rise
None of these
Percent
Mu
ltip
le R
es
po
ns
es
All
ow
ed
Q134. In the past 12 months, have you done any of the following?
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 315
53
50
28
25
21
10
23
55
44
31
25
16
6
24
0 20 40 60 80 100
Read a newspaper or magazine articleabout sea level rise
Had a conversation with a friend or familymember about sea level rise
Read about sea level rise on social media
Visited a website for sea level riseinformation
Read a brochure or handout about sealevel rise
Attended a public meeting or workshopon sea level rise
None of these
Percent
Mu
ltip
le R
es
po
ns
es
All
ow
ed
Q134. In the past 12 months, have you done any of the following?
Coastal
Non-coastal
316 Responsive Management
SOURCES OF INFORMATION ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE AND SEA LEVEL RISE
� The most popular sources of information about environmental issues in Delaware are
television (47% get environmental information this way), newspapers (44%), and the Internet
(42%). No other source was named by more than 15% of residents.
� The sample was randomly split, with one group being asked to name the topics about climate
change on which they want more information, and the other group being asked to name the
topics about sea level rise on which they want more information. The questions were open-
ended, meaning that no answer set was read to respondents; instead, they could say whatever
topics came to mind.
• The topics about climate change and sea level rise most in demand include the impacts of
climate change and sea level rise, the impacts specifically on the Delaware Bay and the
state’s beaches, actions that can be taken to mitigate climate change and sea level rise,
impacts on specific resources or groups, how to protect property, how climate change and
sea level rise correlate, and funding needs to address the impacts.
� Residents are split on whether there is enough available information about sea level rise:
46% agree that there is, but 44% disagree.
• The trends analysis shows a slight increase in the percentage of residents who agree that
there is enough available information about sea level rise (from 39% in 2009 to 46% in
2014), with most of that increase occurring in the strongly agree category (from 22% to
28%). The increase in the percentage of those who strongly agree is significant at
p ≤ 0.01, meaning each correlation would happen by chance only 1 out of 100 times.
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 317
47
44
42
15
11
8
7
5
4
4
3
3
1
3
5
0 20 40 60 80 100
Television
Newspaper
Internet
Magazines
Word of mouth / family or friends
DNREC website
Radio
Social media like Twitter or Facebook
Conservation or environmentalorganization
Pamphlets or newsletters from DNREC
University / UD and DSU Sea GrantExtension
Other state agency / government office
Personal knowledge / common sense
Other
Don't know
Percent
Mu
ltip
le R
es
po
ns
es
All
ow
ed
Q130. Where do you get most of your information about environmental issues in
Delaware?
318 Responsive Management
44
44
43
14
9
8
7
4
3
3
3
1
1
3
4
48
43
42
15
11
8
8
6
4
5
3
4
1
5
5
55
44
37
19
13
8
8
6
7
5
3
5
1
2
6
0 20 40 60 80 100
Television
Newspaper
Internet
Magazines
Word of mouth / family or friends
DNREC website
Radio
Social media like Twitter or Facebook
Conservation or environmentalorganization
Pamphlets or newsletters from DNREC
University / UD and DSU Sea GrantExtension
Other state agency / government office
Personal knowledge / common sense
Other
Don't know
Percent
Mu
ltip
le R
es
po
ns
es
All
ow
ed
Q130. Where do you get most of your information about environmental issues in
Delaware?
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 319
45
43
39
14
12
8
8
5
5
5
6
3
3
5
4
48
44
44
15
10
8
7
5
4
4
2
2
1
3
4
0 20 40 60 80 100
Television
Newspaper
Internet
Magazines
Word of mouth / family or friends
DNREC website
Radio
Social media like Twitter or Facebook
Conservation or environmentalorganization
Pamphlets or newsletters from DNREC
University / UD and DSU Sea GrantExtension
Other state agency / government office
Personal knowledge / common sense
Other
Don't know
Percent
Mu
ltip
le R
es
po
ns
es
All
ow
ed
Q130. Where do you get most of your information about environmental issues in
Delaware?
Coastal
Non-coastal
320 Responsive Management
28
18
4
14
30
7
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderately disagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q136. Do you agree or disagree that there is enough available information about sea level
rise?
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 321
30
19
3
13
29
7
23
18
4
17
31
8
27
15
6
14
32
6
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderately disagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q136. Do you agree or disagree that there is enough available information about sea level
rise?
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
322 Responsive Management
29
16
6
13
33
3
28
18
3
13
30
8
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderately disagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
Q136. Do you agree or disagree that there is enough available information about sea level
rise?
Coastal Non-coastal
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 323
50.8
49.4
49.1
48.6
48.6
48.1
47.4
46.5
46.3
46.2
46.0
45.9
45.3
45.2
44.5
42.3
42.1
41.7
41.1
40.7
39.2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about sea level rise
Is completely or mostly convinced that sea levels are rising
Younger than the median age (48)
Lives in New Castle County
Knows a great deal or a moderate amount about climatechange
Is not so or not at all convinced that climate change ishappening
Male
Has taken action in the past 2 years to prevent climatechange
Lives in a non-coastal area
Education level is less than bachelor's degree
Is completely or mostly convinced that climate change ishappening
Total
Education level is at least a bachelor's degree
Lives in a coastal area
Female
Median age (48) or older
Lives in Sussex County
Knows a little or nothing about climate change
Is not so or not at all convinced that sea levels are rising
Lives in Kent County
Knows a little or nothing about sea level rise rise
Percent
Percent of each of the following groups who agree (strongly or moderately) that there is
enough available information about sea level rise:
324 Responsive Management
The graph on the previous page shows the demographic and attitudinal groups that are either
more (above the striped bar) or less (below the striped bar) likely to agree that there is enough
available information about sea level rise, relative to residents as a whole. Overall, 45.9% of
Delaware residents agree with this (striped bar). Those groups more inclined to agree are above
that bar (for instance, 48.6% of New Castle County residents agree); those groups less inclined to
agree are below that bar (for instance, only 40.7% of Kent County residents agree).
Use caution when drawing conclusions from this graph. There are two opposing reasons to
agree. Some people may agree because they think that sea level rise is happening but they think
that enough information is available. Other people may agree because they do not think that sea
level rise is happening and, therefore, think that no more information is needed.
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 325
2217
2
21
30
8
28
18
4
14
30
7
0
20
40
60
80
100
Stronglyagree
Moderatelyagree
Neither agreenor disagree
Moderatelydisagree
Stronglydisagree
Don't know
Perc
en
t
Q136. Do you agree or disagree that there is enough available information about sea level rise?
2009
2014
326 Responsive Management
35
28
24
23
21
18
17
17
14
4
1
1
4
29
0 20 40 60 80 100
Climate change in general
Sea level rise in general
Impacts of climate change / sea level rise
Impacts on Delaware Bay and state’s beaches
Actions that can be taken to reduceimpacts
Impacts for specific resource, group,species, etc.
How to protect property
How climate change and sea level riserelate
Funding needs / estimated budget toaddress climate change in Delaware
Nothing
Air quality
Historic data
Other
Don't know
Percent
Mu
ltip
le R
es
po
ns
es
All
ow
ed
Q140. What topics related to climate change would you most like to have more information
on? We are not sending out information at this time; we are simply measuring interest.
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 327
38
28
24
22
19
17
15
15
15
4
0
0
3
29
35
28
26
26
26
23
20
18
16
2
1
0
7
27
29
27
21
24
24
19
19
19
11
4
3
3
6
28
0 20 40 60 80 100
Climate change in general
Sea level rise
Impacts of climate change / sea level rise
Impacts on Delaware Bay and state’s beaches
Actions that can be taken to reduce impacts
Impacts for specific resource, group, species,etc.
How to protect property
How climate change and sea level rise relate
Funding needs / estimated budget to addressclimate change in Delaware
Nothing
Air quality
Historic data
Other
Don't know
Percent
Mu
ltip
le R
es
po
ns
es
All
ow
ed
Q140. What topics related to climate change would you most like to have more information
on? We are not sending out information at this time; we are simply measuring interest.
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
328 Responsive Management
42
33
20
24
22
20
19
18
13
3
1
1
5
27
35
27
25
24
22
18
17
17
15
4
1
0
4
27
0 20 40 60 80 100
Climate change in general
Sea level rise
Impacts of climate change / sea level rise
Impacts on Delaware Bay and state’s beaches
Actions that can be taken to reduceimpacts
Impacts for specific resource, group,species, etc.
How to protect property
How climate change and sea level riserelate
Funding needs / estimated budget toaddress climate change in Delaware
Nothing
Air quality
Historic data
Other
Don't know
Percent
Mu
ltip
le R
es
po
ns
es
All
ow
ed
Q140. What topics related to climate change would you most like to have more information
on? We are not sending out information at this time; we are simply measuring interest.
Coastal
Non-coastal
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 329
29
29
28
22
21
18
18
15
13
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
29
0 20 40 60 80 100
Climate change in general
Sea level rise in general
Impacts on Delaware Bay and state’s beaches
Impacts of climate change / sea level rise
Actions that can be taken to reduce impacts
Impacts for specific resource, group, species, etc.
How to protect property
How climate change and sea level rise relate
Funding needs / estimated budget to addressclimate change in Delaware
Nothing
Projected impacts (timing)
Source of information
Any information (general)
Historic data
Causes of sea level rise
Other
Don't know
Percent
Mu
ltip
le R
es
po
ns
es
All
ow
ed
Q144. What topics related to sea level rise would you most like to have more information
on? We are not sending out information at this time; we are simply measuring interest.
330 Responsive Management
33
29
28
22
19
18
17
15
14
2
1
0
0
0
0
3
28
23
29
23
25
19
18
17
13
11
2
1
2
2
2
1
3
31
24
29
30
21
27
19
19
18
13
2
3
2
2
2
1
2
29
0 20 40 60 80 100
Climate change in general
Sea level rise
Impacts on Delaware Bay and state’s beaches
Impacts of climate change / sea level rise
Actions that can be taken to reduce impacts
Impacts for specific resource, group, species,etc.
How to protect property
How climate change and sea level rise relate
Funding needs / estimated budget to addressclimate change in Delaware
Nothing
Projected impacts (timing)
Source of information
Any information (general)
Historic data
Causes of sea level rise
Other
Don't know
Percent
Mu
ltip
le R
es
po
ns
es
All
ow
ed
Q144. What topics related to sea level rise would you most like to have more information
on? We are not sending out information at this time; we are simply measuring interest.
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 331
31
30
27
16
22
17
16
15
13
1
0
3
2
2
1
4
22
29
28
27
23
20
19
18
16
13
3
2
1
1
1
1
2
30
0 20 40 60 80 100
Climate change in general
Sea level rise
Impacts on Delaware Bay and state’s beaches
Impacts of climate change / sea level rise
Actions that can be taken to reduce impacts
Impacts for specific resource, group, species, etc.
How to protect property
How climate change and sea level rise relate
Funding needs / estimated budget to addressclimate change in Delaware
Nothing
Projected impacts (timing)
Source of information
Any information (general)
Historic data
Causes of sea level rise
Other
Don't know
Percent
Mu
ltip
le R
es
po
ns
es
All
ow
ed
Q144. What topics related to sea level rise would you most like to have more information
on? We are not sending out information at this time; we are simply measuring interest.
Coastal
Non-coastal
332 Responsive Management
DEMOGRAPHIC DATA
� The demographic data, primarily used in crosstabulations, that were gathered include:
• Gender.
• Age.
• Whether the respondent has children living at home.
• Ethnicity.
• Education level.
• Years lived in Delaware.
• County of residence.
• Whether they consider their residence to be coastal or non-coastal.
• Whether they rent or own their property.
• Whether they have flood insurance or not.
o Graphs are included showing the opinions and attitudes of various demographic
groups.
o The trends analysis shows very little variation in the demographics of Delaware
residents from 2009 to 2014.
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 333
48
52
0 20 40 60 80 100
Male
Female
Percent
Q167. Respondent's gender (observed by interviewer; not asked).
334 Responsive Management
47
52
47
53
48
52
0 20 40 60 80 100
Male
Female
Percent
Q167. Respondent's gender (observed by interviewer; not asked).
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 335
46
54
48
52
0 20 40 60 80 100
Male
Female
Percent
Q167. Respondent's gender (observed by interviewer; not asked).
Coastal Non-coastal
336 Responsive Management
85
71
71
69
67
65
60
60
58
56
42
41
40
39
35
33
27
26
22
15
0 20 40 60 80 100
Does not think sea level rise is having impacts now
Thinks sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat to the stateof Delaware
Agrees (strongly or moderately) that we should takeimmediate action to reduce climate change
Agrees (strongly or moderately) that climate change can bereduced by human efforts
Thinks action should be taken before impacts of sea levelrise occur
Does not think climate change is having impacts now
Has not personally taken action in the past 2 years to reduceclimate change
Worries a little or not at all about sea level rise
Does not think sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat tothe local community
Does not think sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat tothemselves
Thinks sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat tothemselves
Thinks sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat to the localcommunity
Has personally taken action in the past 2 years to reduceclimate change
Worries a great deal or moderate amount about sea level rise
Thinks climate change is having impacts now
Does not think action should be taken before impacts of sealevel rise occur
Thinks sea level rise is not a (very or serious) serious threatto the State of Delaware
Disgrees (strongly or moderately) that climate change can bereduced by human efforts
Disagrees (strongly or moderately) that we should takeimmediate action to reduce climate change
Thinks sea level rise is having impacts now
Percent
Percent of males who…
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 337
82
81
80
75
75
57
56
53
50
49
48
48
47
43
39
25
19
18
15
13
0 20 40 60 80 100
Thinks sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat to the stateof Delaware
Thinks action should be taken before impacts of sea levelrise occur
Agrees (strongly or moderately) that we should takeimmediate action to reduce climate change
Agrees (strongly or moderately) that climate change can bereduced by human efforts
Does not think sea level rise is having impacts now
Has not personally taken action in the past 2 years to reduceclimate change
Thinks sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat to the localcommunity
Does not think climate change is having impacts now
Worries a little or not at all about sea level rise
Worries a great deal or moderate amount about sea level rise
Thinks sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat tothemselves
Does not think sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat tothemselves
Thinks climate change is having impacts now
Has personally taken action in the past 2 years to reduceclimate change
Does not think sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat tothe local community
Thinks sea level rise is having impacts now
Does not think action should be taken before impacts of sealevel rise occur
Disgrees (strongly or moderately) that climate change can bereduced by human efforts
Thinks sea level rise is not a (very or serious) serious threatto the State of Delaware
Disagrees (strongly or moderately) that we should takeimmediate action to reduce climate change
Percent
Percent of females who…
338 Responsive Management
4852
4852
0
20
40
60
80
100
Male Female
Perc
en
tQ167. Respondent's gender (observed, not asked, by
interviewer).
2009
2014
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 339
17
15
18
16
15
12
3
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
65 years old or older
55-64 years old
45-54 years old
35-44 years old
25-34 years old
18-24 years old
Don't know
Refused
Percent
Q161. Respondent's age.
Mean = 47.61
Median = 48
340 Responsive Management
14
14
18
17
16
14
2
4
18
15
19
16
16
14
2
2
25
18
16
13
13
8
4
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
65 years old orolder
55-64 years old
45-54 years old
35-44 years old
25-34 years old
18-24 years old
Don't know
Refused
Percent
Q161. Respondent's age.
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
New CastleMean = 45.14Median = 44
KentMean = 46.34Median = 47
SussexMean = 51.39Median = 53
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 341
20
20
16
11
14
14
4
2
17
14
19
18
16
12
2
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
65 years old orolder
55-64 years old
45-54 years old
35-44 years old
25-34 years old
18-24 years old
Don't know
Refused
Percent
Q161. Respondent's age.
Coastal Non-coastal
CoastalMean = 49.80Median = 53
Non-coastalMean = 46.98Median = 47
342 Responsive Management
87
82
81
75
73
61
57
53
53
49
48
47
46
42
39
25
21
18
13
13
0 20 40 60 80 100
Does not think sea level rise is having impacts now
Thinks sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat to the stateof Delaware
Agrees (strongly or moderately) that we should takeimmediate action to reduce climate change
Thinks action should be taken before impacts of sea levelrise occur
Agrees (strongly or moderately) that climate change can bereduced by human efforts
Does not think climate change is having impacts now
Worries a little or not at all about sea level rise
Has not personally taken action in the past 2 years to reduceclimate change
Does not think sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat tothemselves
Thinks sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat to the localcommunity
Does not think sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat tothe local community
Has personally taken action in the past 2 years to reduceclimate change
Thinks sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat tothemselves
Worries a great deal or moderate amount about sea levelrise
Thinks climate change is having impacts now
Does not think action should be taken before impacts of sealevel rise occur
Disgrees (strongly or moderately) that climate change can bereduced by human efforts
Thinks sea level rise is not a (very or serious) serious threatto the State of Delaware
Disagrees (strongly or moderately) that we should takeimmediate action to reduce climate change
Thinks sea level rise is having impacts now
Percent
Percent of those younger than the median age who…
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 343
73
73
73
71
70
60
56
52
52
51
48
47
45
44
40
27
27
23
23
23
0 20 40 60 80 100
Does not think sea level rise is having impacts now
Thinks sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat to the stateof Delaware
Thinks action should be taken before impacts of sea levelrise occur
Agrees (strongly or moderately) that climate change can bereduced by human efforts
Agrees (strongly or moderately) that we should takeimmediate action to reduce climate change
Has not personally taken action in the past 2 years to reduceclimate change
Does not think climate change is having impacts now
Worries a little or not at all about sea level rise
Does not think sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat tothemselves
Does not think sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat tothe local community
Thinks sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat to the localcommunity
Worries a great deal or moderate amount about sea level rise
Thinks sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat tothemselves
Thinks climate change is having impacts now
Has personally taken action in the past 2 years to reduceclimate change
Does not think action should be taken before impacts of sealevel rise occur
Thinks sea level rise is having impacts now
Thinks sea level rise is not a (very or serious) serious threatto the State of Delaware
Disagrees (strongly or moderately) that we should takeimmediate action to reduce climate change
Disgrees (strongly or moderately) that climate change can bereduced by human efforts
Percent
Percent of those the median age or older who…
344 Responsive Management
1715
18 1715
10
35
17 1518 16 15
12
3 3
0
20
40
60
80
100
65 yearsold orolder
55-64years old
45-54years old
35-44years old
25-34years old
18-24years old
Don'tknow
Refused
Perc
en
tQ161. Respondent's age.
2009
2014
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 345
4
6
14
17
56
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
More than 3children
3 children
2 children
1 child
Have no children
Don't know /refused
Percent
Q154. How many children, age 17 or younger, do you have living in your household?
Mean = 0.82
Median = 0
346 Responsive Management
5
6
16
18
53
2
3
6
16
16
56
2
3
7
8
13
66
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
More than 3children
3 children
2 children
1 child
Have no children
Don't know /refused
Percent
Q154. How many children, age 17 or younger, do you have living in your household?
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
New CastleMean = 0.92Median = 0
KentMean = 0.87Median = 0
SussexMean = 0.67Median = 0
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 347
4
8
10
15
61
2
5
6
16
17
55
1
0 20 40 60 80 100
More than 3children
3 children
2 children
1 child
Have no children
Don't know /refused
Percent
Q154. How many children, age 17 or younger, do you have living in your household?
Coastal Non-coastal
CoastalMean = 0.77Median = 0
Non-coastalMean = 0.87Median = 0
348 Responsive Management
26
14 14
60
44 6
14 17
56
2
0
20
40
60
80
100
More than 3children
3 children 2 children 1 child Have nochildren
Don't know /refused
Perc
en
t
Q154. How many children, age 17 or younger, do you have living in your household?
2009
2014
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 349
71
16
4
2
1
1
Less than 0.5%
Less than 0.5%
Less than 0.5%
1
6
0 20 40 60 80 100
White or Caucasian
Black or African-American
Hispanic or Latino
Native American or Alaskan native orAleutian
South Asian
East Asian
African
Middle Eastern
Other
Don't know
Refused
Percent
Mu
ltip
le R
es
po
ns
es
All
ow
ed
Q159. What races or ethnic backgrounds do you consider yourself, and please mention all that
apply?
350 Responsive Management
66
19
7
4
2
2
1
0
0
0
1
73
16
5
4
3
0
1
1
0
0
1
82
7
5
4
2
0
0
0
0
0
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
White or Caucasian
Black or African-American
Refused
Hispanic or Latino
Native American or Alaskan native orAleutian
South Asian
East Asian
African
Middle Eastern
Other
Don't know
Percent
Mu
ltip
le R
es
po
ns
es
All
ow
ed
Q159. What races or ethnic backgrounds do you consider yourself, and please mention all that
apply?
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 351
73
18
5
3
4
0
0
1
0
0
1
72
15
6
4
2
1
1
0
0
0
1
0 20 40 60 80 100
White or Caucasian
Black or African-American
Refused
Hispanic or Latino
Native American or Alaskan native orAleutian
South Asian
East Asian
African
Middle Eastern
Other
Don't know
Percent
Mu
ltip
le R
es
po
ns
es
All
ow
ed
Q159. What races or ethnic backgrounds do you consider yourself, and please mention all that
apply?
Coastal
Non-coastal
352 Responsive Management
76
11
3 1 1 1 0 1 26
71
16
4 2 1 1 0 0 16
0
20
40
60
80
100
White orCaucasian
Black orAfrican-
American
Hispanic orLatino
NativeAmericanor Alaskannative orAleutian
SouthAsian
East Asian MiddleEastern
Other Don't know Refused
Perc
en
t
Q159. What races or ethnic backgrounds do you consider yourself, and please mention all that apply?
2009
2014
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 353
3
23
21
9
21
13
5
1
4
0 20 40 60 80 100
Not a high schoolgraduate
High schoolgraduate orequivalent
Some college ortrade school, no
degree
Associate or tradeschool degree
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Professional ordoctorate degree
Don't know
Refused
Percent
Q156. What is the highest level of education you have completed?
354 Responsive Management
2
20
20
9
23
15
6
0
4
3
30
21
9
17
13
3
1
3
4
24
24
10
19
9
4
2
5
0 20 40 60 80 100
Not a high schoolgraduate
High schoolgraduate orequivalent
Some college ortrade school, no
degree
Associate or tradeschool degree
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Professional ordoctorate degree
Don't know
Refused
Percent
Q156. What is the highest level of education you have completed?
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 355
3
27
19
9
23
11
5
0
2
2
22
22
10
22
14
5
0
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
Not a high school graduate
High school graduate or equivalent
Some college or trade school, nodegree
Associate or trade school degree
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Professional or doctorate degree
Don't know
Refused
Percent
Q156. What is the highest level of education you have completed?
Coastal Non-coastal
356 Responsive Management
84
78
78
75
75
61
60
53
52
51
47
47
46
40
38
25
20
20
18
16
0 20 40 60 80 100
Does not think sea level rise is having impacts now
Agrees (strongly or moderately) that we should takeimmediate action to reduce climate change
Thinks sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat to the stateof Delaware
Agrees (strongly or moderately) that climate change can bereduced by human efforts
Thinks action should be taken before impacts of sea levelrise occur
Worries a little or not at all about sea level rise
Does not think climate change is having impacts now
Has not personally taken action in the past 2 years to reduceclimate change
Does not think sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat tothemselves
Does not think sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat tothe local community
Has personally taken action in the past 2 years to reduceclimate change
Thinks sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat to the localcommunity
Thinks sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat tothemselves
Thinks climate change is having impacts now
Worries a great deal or moderate amount about sea level rise
Does not think action should be taken before impacts of sealevel rise occur
Thinks sea level rise is not a (very or serious) serious threatto the State of Delaware
Disgrees (strongly or moderately) that climate change can bereduced by human efforts
Disagrees (strongly or moderately) that we should takeimmediate action to reduce climate change
Thinks sea level rise is having impacts now
Percent
Percent of those with at least least a bachelor's degree who…
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 357
78
77
75
75
70
60
58
52
50
50
49
47
45
42
40
25
23
22
21
17
0 20 40 60 80 100
Does not think sea level rise is having impacts now
Thinks sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat to the stateof Delaware
Agrees (strongly or moderately) that we should takeimmediate action to reduce climate change
Thinks action should be taken before impacts of sea levelrise occur
Agrees (strongly or moderately) that climate change can bereduced by human efforts
Has not personally taken action in the past 2 years to reduceclimate change
Does not think climate change is having impacts now
Does not think sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat tothemselves
Thinks sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat to the localcommunity
Worries a little or not at all about sea level rise
Worries a great deal or moderate amount about sea level rise
Does not think sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat tothe local community
Thinks sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat tothemselves
Thinks climate change is having impacts now
Has personally taken action in the past 2 years to reduceclimate change
Does not think action should be taken before impacts of sealevel rise occur
Disgrees (strongly or moderately) that climate change can bereduced by human efforts
Thinks sea level rise is having impacts now
Thinks sea level rise is not a (very or serious) serious threatto the State of Delaware
Disagrees (strongly or moderately) that we should takeimmediate action to reduce climate change
Percent
Percent of those with less than a bachelor's degree who…
358 Responsive Management
4
23
16
9
25
13
62 23
23 21
9
21
13
51
4
0
20
40
60
80
100
Not a highschool
graduate
High schoolgraduate orequivalent
Somecollege or
tradeschool, no
degree
Associate ortrade school
degree
Bachelor'sdegree
Master'sdegree
Professionalor doctorate
degree
Don't know Refused
Perc
en
t
Q156. What is the highest level of education you have completed?
2009
2014
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 359
3
4
9
10
14
17
19
21
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
More than 70 years
61 - 70 years
51 - 60 years
41 - 50 years
31 - 40 years
21 - 30 years
11 - 20 years
10 years or less
Don't know /refused
Percent
Q148. How many years have you lived in Delaware?
Mean = 28.73
Median = 25
360 Responsive Management
3
4
9
10
15
17
20
19
2
3
4
9
9
14
19
18
23
1
2
5
10
8
11
17
19
23
4
0 20 40 60 80 100
More than 70 years
61 - 70 years
51 - 60 years
41 - 50 years
31 - 40 years
21 - 30 years
11 - 20 years
10 years or less
Don't know / refused
Percent
Q148. How many years have you lived in Delaware?
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
New CastleMean = 29.32Median = 25
KentMean = 28.93Median = 26
SussexMean = 27.92Median = 25
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 361
2
3
14
7
13
19
19
22
2
3
5
8
11
14
17
20
21
1
0 20 40 60 80 100
More than 70 years
61 - 70 years
51 - 60 years
41 - 50 years
31 - 40 years
21 - 30 years
11 - 20 years
10 years or less
Don't know / refused
Percent
Q148. How many years have you lived in Delaware?
Coastal Non-coastal
CoastalMean = 27.82Median = 24
Non-coastalMean = 28.99Median = 26
362 Responsive Management
3 38
12 1317 17
24
33 49 10
1417
19 21
3
0
20
40
60
80
100
Morethan 70years
61 - 70years
51 - 60years
41 - 50years
31 - 40years
21 - 30years
11 - 20years
10 yearsor less
Don'tknow /refused
Perc
en
tQ148. How many years have you lived in Delaware?
2009
2014
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 363
60
18
23
0 20 40 60 80 100
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
Percent
Q149. What county do you live in?
364 Responsive Management
37
12
51
66
19
15
0 20 40 60 80 100
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
Percent
Q149. What county do you live in?
Coastal Non-coastal
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 365
83
77
75
75
74
60
57
57
51
51
46
46
43
42
40
25
21
20
18
17
0 20 40 60 80 100
Does not think sea level rise is having impacts now
Thinks sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat to the stateof Delaware
Thinks action should be taken before impacts of sea levelrise occur
Agrees (strongly or moderately) that we should takeimmediate action to reduce climate change
Agrees (strongly or moderately) that climate change can bereduced by human efforts
Does not think climate change is having impacts now
Has not personally taken action in the past 2 years to reduceclimate change
Worries a little or not at all about sea level rise
Does not think sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat tothemselves
Does not think sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat tothe local community
Thinks sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat tothemselves
Thinks sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat to the localcommunity
Has personally taken action in the past 2 years to reduceclimate change
Worries a great deal or moderate amount about sea levelrise
Thinks climate change is having impacts now
Does not think action should be taken before impacts of sealevel rise occur
Disgrees (strongly or moderately) that climate change can bereduced by human efforts
Thinks sea level rise is not a (very or serious) serious threatto the State of Delaware
Disagrees (strongly or moderately) that we should takeimmediate action to reduce climate change
Thinks sea level rise is having impacts now
Percent
Percent New Castle County residents who…
366 Responsive Management
86
77
75
73
71
60
58
57
55
48
47
43
42
41
40
27
21
20
18
14
0 20 40 60 80 100
Does not think sea level rise is having impacts now
Thinks sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat to the stateof Delaware
Agrees (strongly or moderately) that we should takeimmediate action to reduce climate change
Thinks action should be taken before impacts of sea levelrise occur
Agrees (strongly or moderately) that climate change can bereduced by human efforts
Has not personally taken action in the past 2 years to reduceclimate change
Worries a little or not at all about sea level rise
Does not think climate change is having impacts now
Does not think sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat tothemselves
Thinks sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat to the localcommunity
Does not think sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat tothe local community
Thinks climate change is having impacts now
Thinks sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat tothemselves
Worries a great deal or moderate amount about sea levelrise
Has personally taken action in the past 2 years to reduceclimate change
Does not think action should be taken before impacts of sealevel rise occur
Disgrees (strongly or moderately) that climate change canbe reduced by human efforts
Thinks sea level rise is not a (very or serious) serious threatto the State of Delaware
Disagrees (strongly or moderately) that we should takeimmediate action to reduce climate change
Thinks sea level rise is having impacts now
Percent
Percent of Kent County residents who…
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 367
77
75
73
69
69
61
59
57
51
50
48
47
43
40
39
31
27
25
24
15
0 20 40 60 80 100
Agrees (strongly or moderately) that we should take immediateaction to reduce climate change
Thinks sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat to the state ofDelaware
Thinks action should be taken before impacts of sea level riseoccur
Does not think sea level rise is having impacts now
Agrees (strongly or moderately) that climate change can bereduced by human efforts
Has not personally taken action in the past 2 years to reduceclimate change
Thinks sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat to the localcommunity
Does not think climate change is having impacts now
Does not think sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat tothemselves
Worries a great deal or moderate amount about sea level rise
Worries a little or not at all about sea level rise
Thinks sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat to themselves
Thinks climate change is having impacts now
Does not think sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat to thelocal community
Has personally taken action in the past 2 years to reduceclimate change
Thinks sea level rise is having impacts now
Does not think action should be taken before impacts of sealevel rise occur
Disgrees (strongly or moderately) that climate change can bereduced by human efforts
Thinks sea level rise is not a (very or serious) serious threat tothe State of Delaware
Disagrees (strongly or moderately) that we should takeimmediate action to reduce climate change
Percent
Percent of Sussex County residents who…
368 Responsive Management
20
77
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
Coastal
Non-coastal
Don't know
Percent
Q151. Do you consider your place of residence to be in a coastal or non-coastal area?
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 369
12
85
3
14
84
2
45
51
4
0 20 40 60 80 100
Coastal
Non-coastal
Don't know
Percent
Q151. Do you consider your place of residence to be in a coastal or non-coastal area?
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
370 Responsive Management
82
77
77
73
71
64
60
59
58
52
48
41
40
38
36
27
23
22
17
16
0 20 40 60 80 100
Thinks sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat to the stateof Delaware
Agrees (strongly or moderately) that we should takeimmediate action to reduce climate change
Thinks action should be taken before impacts of sea levelrise occur
Thinks sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat to the localcommunity
Agrees (strongly or moderately) that climate change can bereduced by human efforts
Does not think sea level rise is having impacts now
Thinks sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat tothemselves
Has not personally taken action in the past 2 years to reduceclimate change
Worries a great deal or moderate amount about sea level rise
Thinks climate change is having impacts now
Does not think climate change is having impacts now
Has personally taken action in the past 2 years to reduceclimate change
Worries a little or not at all about sea level rise
Does not think sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat tothemselves
Thinks sea level rise is having impacts now
Does not think sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat tothe local community
Does not think action should be taken before impacts of sealevel rise occur
Disgrees (strongly or moderately) that climate change can bereduced by human efforts
Disagrees (strongly or moderately) that we should takeimmediate action to reduce climate change
Thinks sea level rise is not a (very or serious) serious threatto the State of Delaware
Percent
Percent of those who live in a coastal area who…
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 371
84
77
76
74
73
61
59
58
56
54
43
42
41
40
39
26
21
21
17
16
0 20 40 60 80 100
Does not think sea level rise is having impacts now
Thinks sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat to the stateof Delaware
Agrees (strongly or moderately) that we should takeimmediate action to reduce climate change
Thinks action should be taken before impacts of sea levelrise occur
Agrees (strongly or moderately) that climate change can bereduced by human efforts
Does not think climate change is having impacts now
Worries a little or not at all about sea level rise
Has not personally taken action in the past 2 years to reduceclimate change
Does not think sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat tothemselves
Does not think sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat tothe local community
Thinks sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat to the localcommunity
Has personally taken action in the past 2 years to reduceclimate change
Thinks sea level rise is a (very or serious) threat tothemselves
Worries a great deal or moderate amount about sea level rise
Thinks climate change is having impacts now
Does not think action should be taken before impacts of sealevel rise occur
Thinks sea level rise is not a (very or serious) serious threatto the State of Delaware
Disgrees (strongly or moderately) that climate change can bereduced by human efforts
Disagrees (strongly or moderately) that we should takeimmediate action to reduce climate change
Thinks sea level rise is having impacts now
Percent
Percent of those who live in a non-coastal area who…
372 Responsive Management
21
79
0
20
77
3
0
20
40
60
80
100
Coastal Non-coastal Don't know
Perc
en
tQ151. Do you consider your place of residence to be in
a coastal or non-coastal area?
2009
2014
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 373
21
73
2
4
0 20 40 60 80 100
Rent
Own
Occupy withoutcash rent
Refused
Percent
Q152. Do you rent or own your current place of residence?
374 Responsive Management
23
71
3
4
19
77
1
3
19
76
1
4
0 20 40 60 80 100
Rent
Own
Occupy withoutcash rent
Refused
Percent
Q152. Do you rent or own your current place of residence?
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 375
26
71
1
2
20
76
2
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Rent
Own
Occupy withoutcash rent
Refused
Percent
Q152. Do you rent or own your current place of residence?
Coastal Non-coastal
376 Responsive Management
23
70
7
0 20 40 60 80 100
Yes
No
Don't know
Percent
Q153. Do you have flood insurance for your current place of residence?
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 377
22
72
7
20
72
8
27
65
8
0 20 40 60 80 100
Yes
No
Don't know
Percent
Q153. Do you have flood insurance for your current place of residence?
New Castle
Kent
Sussex
378 Responsive Management
37
57
6
19
75
6
0 20 40 60 80 100
Yes
No
Don't know
Percent
Q153. Do you have flood insurance for your current place of residence?
Coastal Non-coastal
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 379
19
71
10
23
70
7
0
20
40
60
80
100
Yes No Don't know
Perc
en
tQ153. Do you have flood insurance for your current
place of residence?
2009
2014
380 Responsive Management
ABOUT RESPONSIVE MANAGEMENT
Responsive Management is an internationally recognized public opinion and attitude survey research
firm specializing in natural resource and outdoor recreation issues. Our mission is to help natural
resource and outdoor recreation agencies and organizations better understand and work with their
constituents, customers, and the public.
Utilizing our in-house, full-service telephone, mail, and web-based survey center with 50
professional interviewers, we have conducted more than 1,000 telephone surveys, mail surveys,
personal interviews, and focus groups, as well as numerous marketing and communication plans,
needs assessments, and program evaluations.
Clients include the federal natural resource and land management agencies, most state fish and
wildlife agencies, state departments of natural resources, environmental protection agencies, state
park agencies, tourism boards, most of the major conservation and sportsmen’s organizations, and
numerous private businesses. Responsive Management also collects attitude and opinion data for
many of the nation’s top universities.
Specializing in research on public attitudes toward natural resource and outdoor recreation issues,
Responsive Management has completed a wide range of projects during the past 24 years, including
dozens of studies of hunters, anglers, wildlife viewers, boaters, park visitors, historic site visitors,
hikers, birdwatchers, campers, and rock climbers. Responsive Management has conducted studies
on endangered species; waterfowl and wetlands; and the reintroduction of large predators such as
wolves, grizzly bears, and the Florida panther.
Responsive Management has assisted with research on numerous natural resource ballot initiatives
and referenda and has helped agencies and organizations find alternative funding and increase their
membership and donations. Additionally, Responsive Management has conducted major
organizational and programmatic needs assessments to assist natural resource agencies and
organizations in developing more effective programs based on a solid foundation of fact.
Delaware Residents’ Opinions on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 381
Responsive Management has conducted research on public attitudes toward natural resources and
outdoor recreation in almost every state in the United States, as well as in Canada, Australia, the
United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Japan. Responsive Management has also conducted focus
groups and personal interviews with residents of the African countries of Algeria, Cameroon,
Mauritius, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Responsive Management routinely conducts surveys in Spanish and has conducted surveys in
Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Vietnamese and has completed numerous studies with specific target
audiences, including Hispanics; African-Americans; Asians; women; children; senior citizens; urban,
suburban, and rural residents; large landowners; and farmers.
Responsive Management’s research has been upheld in U.S. District Courts; used in peer-reviewed
journals; and presented at major natural resource, fish and wildlife, and outdoor recreation
conferences across the world. Company research has been featured in most of the nation’s major
media, including CNN, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and on the front pages of USA
Today and The Washington Post. Responsive Management’s research has also been highlighted in
Newsweek magazine.
Visit the Responsive Management website at:
www.responsivemanagement.com