GSS 1972-2024 Cumulative Datafile - Release 3

A. If you had to choose, which one of the following would be closest 
to your views?  Government should let ordinary people decide for 
themselves how to protect the environment, even if it means they 
don't always dothe right thing, or government should pass laws to 
make ordinary people protect the environment, even if it interferes 
with people's right to make their own decisions.

B. And which one of the following closest to your views?  Government 
should let businesses decide for themselves how to protect the 
environment, even if it means they don't always do the right thing, 
or government should pass laws to make businesses protect the 
environment, even if it interferes with business' right to make their 
own decisions.

A. How often do you make a special effort to sort glass or cans or 
plastic or papers and so on for recycling?

B. And how often do you make a special effort to buy fruits and 
vegetables grown without pesticides or chemicals?

C. And how often do you refuse to eat meat for moral or environmental 
reasons?

D. And how often do you cut back on driving a car for environmental 
reasons?

Are you a member of any group whose main aim is to preserve or 
protect the environment?

In the last five years, have you 
A. ...signed a petition about an environmental issue?

In the last five years, have you 
B. ...given money to an environmental group?

In the last five years, have you 
C. ...taken part in a protest or demonstration about an environmental 
issue?

Would you describe the place where you live as

A1. Which of these issues is the most important for America today?

A2. Which is the next most important?

How much do you agree or disagree with each of these statements? 
Private enterprise is the best way to solve America''s economic 
problems.

Do you agree or disagree?
B. It is the responsibility of the government to reduce the 
differences in income between people with high incomes and those with 
low incomes.

A. Looking at the list below, please check a box next to the one 
thing you think should be America''s highest priority, the most 
important thing it should do. America should

B. And which one do you think should be America''s next highest 
priority, the second most important thing it should do?  America 
should

B1. Generally speaking, would you say that most people can be 
trusted, or that you cant be too careful in dealing with people? 
please tell me what you think, where 1 means you cant be too careful 
and 5 means most people can be trusted.

B2. Generally speaking, do you think that most people would try to 
take advantage of you if they got the chance, or would they try to be 
fair? 
Please tell me what you think, where 1 means most people would try to 
take advantage of you and 5 means that most people would try to be 
fair.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following 
statements? 
A. Most of the time we can trust people in government to do what is 
right

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following 
statements? 
B. Most politicians are in politics only for what they can get out of 
it personally

C. Generally speaking, how concerned are you about environmental 
issues?  Please tell me what you think, where 1 means you are not at 
all concerned and 5 means you are very concerned.

D. Here is a list of some different environmental problems. Which 
problem, if any, do you think is the most important for America as a 
whole?

E. Which problem, if any, affects you and your family the most?

F1. How much do you feel you know about the causes of these sorts of 
environmental problems? Please tell me what you think, where 1 
indicates you feel you know nothing at all and 5 indicates you feel 
you know a great deal.

F2. And how much do you feel you know about solutions to these sorts 
of environmental problems?  Please tell me what you think, where 1 
indicates you feel you know nothing at all and 5 indicates you feel 
you know a great deal.