Meg Hefferon

As in 2016, 88% of U.S. adults say its benefits outweigh the risks. And the share who consider its preventive benefits to be “very high” rose by 11 points to 56%.

About seven-in-ten in Pacific states say climate change is affecting their local community at least some. That compares with 54% in Mountain states.

A majority of U.S. adults say they are taking at least some specific action in their daily lives to protect the environment, though Democrats and Republicans remain at ideological odds over the causes of climate change and the effects of policies to address it.

About nine-in-ten Americans see research scientists as intelligent, while a smaller majority describe them as good communicators.

Americans have broadly positive views of scientists and their work but are more tepid when it comes to trusting their competence, credibility and concern for the public interest.

Public confidence in scientists is on the upswing, and six-in-ten Americans say scientists should play an active role in policy debates about scientific issues, according to a new Pew Research Center survey.

Many Americans can answer at least some questions about science concepts. Science knowledge levels remain strongly tied to education; Republicans and Democrats are about equally knowledgeable.

The United States is a nation divided when it comes to food, and Americans’ food preferences are especially evident in what they don’t eat.

About half of U.S. adults say genetically modified foods are worse for one’s health than non-GM foods, while 44% think GM foods ingredients are neither better nor worse for one’s health.

Majorities of Americans see at least some risk from food produced using hormones, antibiotics, pesticides or artificial ingredients; half the public says that foods with genetically modified ingredients are worse for one's health than foods without.