Fear Factor

The fear of being personally affected by climate change apparently has little to do with reason. When a recent Gallup poll asked, "How serious of a threat is global warming to you and your family?" some of the most nervous respondents were in the countries least susceptible to climate change, such as Italy and Japan. Conversely, respondents from countries like South Africa and China, where the public is less frightened of climate change, are, according to new data from risk assessment firm Maplecroft, far more vulnerable.

Below are percentages of poll respondents by country who view global warming as a "serious threat":

Italy: 90%

Japan: 75%

South Africa: 67%

United States: 64%

China: 33%

(Source: Gallup World Poll surveys conducted  between 2007 and 2009)