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KNOWLEDGE OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE
CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE
MODULE INFORMATION
PURPOSE OF THE MODULE:
To determine public opinion, knowledge and attitudes related to climate change and the causes of
climate change.
MODULE HISTORY:
Pilot tested in Halton as part of a special request (Halton Air Quality and Climate Change Survey) in
February 2009
Added to RRFSS in Cycle 4 (January 2010)
Revised:
Cycle 6* (September 2010)
variable names changed from
 a1 to cc_knowledge1
 a2 to cc_knowledge2
 a3 to cc_knowledge3
 a4 to cc_knowledge4
 a5 to cc_knowledge5
Cycle 19 (January 2015)
- Interview prompts changed for
o cc_knowledge1
o cc_knowledge4
- response option 8 in cc_knowledge5 changed
*Note: changes that were made to the dataset in Cycle 6 were not reflected in the CATI until Cycle 7
(January 2011)
DATA DICTIONARY HISTORY:
Created: September 28, 2011
Revised: June 2012
October 2014
Deleted: N/A
Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS)
KNOWLEDGE OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE
CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE
OTHER NOTES:
Questions for the Halton Air Quality and Climate Change Survey were developed by the Halton
Region Health Department in collaboration with York University’s Institute for Social Research (ISR).
Survey questions were based on questions found in a number of different surveys including:
 Air Pollution National Survey - Air Pollution: Information Needs and the Knowledge, Attitudes
and Behaviour of Canadians (Prepared for Health Canada by Environics Research Group,
2002)
 American Opinions of Global Warming (University of Oregon Survey Research Laboratory,
2002)
 Attitudes to Climate Change (Defra: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,
UK, 2006)
 City of Toronto Public Opinion Survey - Attitudes and Opinions Related to the Environment
(City of Toronto, 2001)
 ICM Poll on Climate Change (ICM Research Ltd, UK, 2002)
 Lambton County Air Quality Awareness Questionnaire (Lambton Health Unit, 2000)
 National Statistics Omnibus Survey – Climate Change (Great Britain, 2007)
 Outdoor Air Quality Awareness and Beliefs Module (Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System,
2007)
Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS)
KNOWLEDGE OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE
CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE
MODULE QUESTIONS
VARIABLE NAME: cc_knowledge1
VARIABLE HISTORY:
Cycle 4 (January 2010) - New variable
Cycle 6* (September 2010) - Variable name changed from a1 to cc_knowledge1
Cycle 19 (January 2015) – Interviewer prompt changed from “By climate change we mean a change
in the average weather that a given region experiences” to “Only if asked, by climate change we
mean a change in the average weather in a region or place like <Ontario/Region>”.
*Note: changes that were made to the dataset in Cycle 6 were not reflected in the CATI until Cycle 7
(January 2011)
QUESTION:
Now I would like to ask you about climate change. Would you say that you strongly agree,
somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree that the world's climate is changing?
Interviewer: Only if asked, by climate change we mean a change in the average weather in a region
or place like <Ontario/Region>”
Response Options
1
strongly agree
3
somewhat agree
5
somewhat disagree
7
strongly disagree
8
don’t know
9
refused
ANALYSIS ISSUES: None
COMPARABILITY TO OTHER SURVEYS: See Other Notes under Module Information
VALIDITY/RELIABILITY TESTS: No reliability or validity tests
EVALUATION QUESTIONS: Cycle 4 (January 2010)
Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS)
KNOWLEDGE OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE
CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE
MODULE QUESTIONS
VARIABLE NAME: cc_knowledge2
VARIABLE HISTORY:
Cycle 4 (January 2010) - New variable
Cycle 6* (September 2010) - Variable name changed from a2 to cc_knowledge2
*Note: changes that were made to the dataset in Cycle 6 were not reflected in the CATI until Cycle 7
(January 2011)
QUESTION:
And would you say that you are very concerned, somewhat concerned, not very concerned, or not
at all concerned about climate change?
Response Options
1
very concerned
3
somewhat concerned
5
not very concerned
7
not at all concerned
8
don’t know
9
refused
ANALYSIS ISSUES:
 Only asked of respondents who strongly agree or somewhat agree that the world's climate is
changing (cc_knowledge1 =1 or cc_knowledge1=3)
COMPARABILITY TO OTHER SURVEYS: See Other Notes under Module Information
VALIDITY/RELIABILITY TESTS: No reliability or validity tests
EVALUATION QUESTIONS: Cycle 4 (January 2010)
Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS)
KNOWLEDGE OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE
CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE
MODULE QUESTIONS
VARIABLE NAME: cc_knowledge3
VARIABLE HISTORY:
Cycle 4 (January 2010) - New variable
Cycle 6* (September 2010) - Variable name changed from a3 to cc_knowledge3
*Note: changes that were made to the dataset in Cycle 6 were not reflected in the CATI until Cycle 7
(January 2011)
QUESTION:
Some people think that climate change is caused mainly by human activity, while others think that it
is caused mainly by natural changes. Which is closest to what you think?
Response Options
1
climate change is caused mainly by human activity
5
climate change is caused mainly by natural changes
6
R volunteers: both human activity and natural changes cause climate change
7
R volunteers: they do not think that climate change is happening
8
don’t know
9
refused
ANALYSIS ISSUES:
Only asked of respondents who strongly agree or somewhat agree that the world's climate is
changing (cc_knowledge1 =1 or cc_knowledge1 =3)
COMPARABILITY TO OTHER SURVEYS: See Other Notes under Module Information
VALIDITY/RELIABILITY TESTS: No reliability or validity tests
EVALUATION QUESTIONS: Cycle 4 (January 2010)
Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS)
KNOWLEDGE OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE
CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE
MODULE QUESTIONS
VARIABLE NAME: cc_knowledge4
VARIABLE HISTORY:
Cycle 4 (January 2010) - New variable
Cycle 6* (September 2010) - Variable name changed from a4 to cc_knowledge4
Cycle 19 (January 2015) – Interviewer prompt changed from “By exhaust we mean gases and
particles that are released into the air from burning fuel” to “Only if asked, by exhaust we mean
gases and particles that are released into the air from burning fuel”
*Note: changes that were made to the dataset in Cycle 6 were not reflected in the CATI until Cycle 7
(January 2011)
QUESTION:
Does exhaust from vehicles such as cars, trucks and buses contribute to climate change, or is this
something you are not sure about?
Interviewer: Only if asked, by exhaust we mean gases and particles that are released into the air
from burning fuel
Response Options
1
yes
5
no
8
not sure/don’t know
9
refused
ANALYSIS ISSUES:

Only asked of respondents who think climate change is caused mainly by human activity, or
by both human activity and natural changes (cc_knowledge3=1 or cc_knowledge3=6)
COMPARABILITY TO OTHER SURVEYS: See Other Notes under Module Information
VALIDITY/RELIABILITY TESTS: No reliability or validity tests
EVALUATION QUESTIONS: Cycle 4 (January 2010)
Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS)
KNOWLEDGE OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE
CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE
MODULE QUESTIONS
VARIABLE NAME: cc_knowledge5
VARIABLE HISTORY:
Cycle 4 (January 2010) - New variable
Cycle 6* (September 2010) - Variable name changed from a5 to cc_knowledge5
Cycle 19 (January 2015) – “it depends” added to response option 8
*Note: changes that were made to the dataset in Cycle 6 were not reflected in the CATI until Cycle 7
(January 2011)
QUESTION:
Does energy use at home, including heating and cooling your home and using electricity contribute
to climate change, or is this something that you are not sure about?
Response Options
1
yes
5
no
8
not sure/don’t know/it depends
9
refused
ANALYSIS ISSUES:

Only asked of respondents who think climate change is caused mainly by human activity, or
by both human activity and natural changes (cc_knowledge3=1 or cc_knowledge3=6)
COMPARABILITY TO OTHER SURVEYS: None
VALIDITY/RELIABILITY TESTS: No reliability or validity tests
EVALUATION QUESTIONS: Cycle 4 (January 2010)
Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS)
KNOWLEDGE OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE
CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE
MODULE INDICATORS
KNOWLEDGE AND PUBLIC OPINION RELATED TO CLIMATE CHANGE
INDICATOR DESCRIPTION:
 % of adults (18+) who agree that the world’s climate is changing
 % of adults (18+) who disagree that the world’s climate is changing
 % of adults (18+) who don’t know whether or not the world’s climate is changing
INDICATOR OBJECTIVES:
 To determine public knowledge and opinion regarding whether or not the world’s climate is
changing
ANALYSIS CHECK LIST:
 Denominator is all adults (18+)
 Denominator should include respondents who don’t know whether or not the world’s climate is
changing (cc_knowledge1=8).
 Categories can be combined (for example somewhat and strongly disagree) depending on
data needs, sample size and CV’s
METHOD OF CALCULATION:
# adults (18+) who strongly agree that the world’s climate is changing
(cc_knowledge1 =1)
all adults (18+)
# adults (18+) who somewhat agree that the world’s climate is changing
(cc_knowledge1 =3)
all adults (18+)
# adults (18+) who somewhat disagree that the world’s climate is changing
(cc_knowledge1 =5)
all adults (18+)
# adults (18+) who strongly disagree that the world’s climate is changing
(cc_knowledge1 =7)
all adults (18+)
# adults (18+) who don’t know whether or not the world’s climate is changing
(cc_knowledge1 =8)
all adults (18+)
Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS)
KNOWLEDGE OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE
CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE
MODULE INDICATORS
PUBLIC CONCERN ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE
INDICATOR DESCRIPTION:
 % of adults (18+) who are concerned about climate change
 % of adults (18+) who are not concerned about climate change
INDICATOR OBJECTIVES:
 To determine the level of public concern about climate change
ANALYSIS CHECK LIST:
 Denominator is all adults (18+).
 Ensure that respondents who indicated that they disagreed that the world’s climate was
changing (cc_knowledge1=5,7) or who didn’t know (cc_knowledge1=8) are included in the
denominator
 Categories can be combined (for example not very/not at all concerned) depending on data
needs, sample size and CV’s
METHOD OF CALCULATION:
# adults (18+) who are very concerned about climate change (cc_knowledge2=1)
all adults (18+)
# adults (18+) who are somewhat concerned about climate change (cc_knowledge2=3)
all adults (18+)
# adults (18+) who are not very concerned about climate change (cc_knowledge2=5)
all adults (18+)
# adults (18+) who are not at all concerned about climate change (cc_knowledge2=7)
all adults (18+)
Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS)
KNOWLEDGE OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE
CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE
MODULE INDICATORS
CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE- HUMAN ACTIVITY OR NATURAL CAUSES
INDICATOR DESCRIPTION:
 % of adults (18+) who think that climate change is caused mainly by human activity
 % of adults (18+) who think climate change is caused mainly by natural changes
 % of adults (18+) who think climate change is caused by both human activity and natural
changes
 % of adults (18+) who don’t know if climate change is caused by human activity or natural
changes
INDICATOR OBJECTIVES:
 To determine public knowledge of the causes of climate change
ANALYSIS CHECK LIST:
 Denominator is all adults (18+).
 Ensure that respondents who indicated that they disagreed that the world’s climate was
changing (cc_knowledge1=5,7, cc_knowledge3=7) or who didn’t know (cc_knowledge1=8)
are included in the denominator
METHOD OF CALCULATION:
# adults (18+) who think climate change is caused mainly by human activity
(cc_knowledge3=1)
all adults (18+)
# adults (18+) who think climate change is caused mainly by natural changes
(cc_knowledge3=5)
all adults (18+)
# adults (18+) who think climate change is caused by both human activity and natural
changes (cc_knowledge3=6)
all adults (18+)
# adults (18+) who don’t know if climate change is caused by human activity or natural
changes (cc_knowledge3=8)
all adults (18+)
Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS)
KNOWLEDGE OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE
CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE
MODULE INDICATORS
CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE – EXHAUST FROM VEHICLES AND
ENERGY USE AT HOME
INDICATOR DESCRIPTION:
 % of adults (18+) who think that climate change is caused by human activity who identify
that exhaust from vehicles contributes to climate change
 % of adults (18+) who think that climate change is caused by human activity who identify
that that energy use at home contributes to climate change
INDICATOR OBJECTIVES:
 To determine public knowledge of the causes of climate change
ANALYSIS CHECK LIST:
 Denominator is adults (18+) who think climate change is caused by human activity
(cc_knowledge3=1,6)
METHOD OF CALCULATION:
EXHAUST FROM VEHICLES
# adults (18+) who think exhaust from vehicles contributes to climate change
(cc_knowledge4=1)
adults (18+) who think that climate change is caused by human activity
(cc_knowledge3=1,6)
# adults (18+) who do not think exhaust from vehicles contributes to climate change
(cc_knowledge4=5)
(cc_knowledge3=1,6)
# adults (18+) who don’t know if exhaust from vehicles contributes to climate change
(cc_knowledge4=8)
(cc_knowledge3=1,6)
ENERGY USE AT HOME
# adults (18+) who think energy use at home contributes to climate change
(cc_knowledge5=1)
adults (18+) who think that climate change is caused by human activity
(cc_knowledge3=1,6)
# adults (18+) who do not think energy use at home contributes to climate change
(cc_knowledge5=5)
(cc_knowledge3=1,6)
# adults (18+) who don’t know if energy use at home contributes to climate change
(cc_knowledge5=8)
(cc_knowledge3=1,6)
Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS)