Unfortunately, many Americans are still swayed by religious and political beliefs rather than actual hard facts and evidence from scientists.

A new study shows 65 percent Americans don't believe in climate change or global warming even if the winter of 2012 was the fourth warmest winter on record.

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Researchers from Michigan State University discovered that only 35 percent of U.S. citizens blamed climate change on the warming temperatures in the winter of 2012 even if 80 percent believed that winter was significantly warmer than usual.

According to Aaron McCright from MSU's Lyman Briggs College and Department of Sociology, many U.S. citizens had made-up their minds about the state of global warming even if extreme weather is already occurring.

McCright, who's also the lead researcher of the study, says people's perceptions about temperatures during the of winter 2012 match actual temperatures. The study demonstrated how people's perceptions and actual temperatures coincide with each other, which researchers find encouraging since it increases awareness about climate change.

A new report released earlier this month by the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change confirmed climate change effects are already occurring and are being experienced by nations all over the world.

Numerous studies conducted by the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) also confirm polar ice melt occurring at an unprecedented rate.

This massive melt affects ocean temperatures and marine biodiversity. Carbon dioxide levels are off the charts, especially from the U.S. and China, which are the two major greenhouse gas emitters.

Scientists hope the warm winter last 2012 and other extreme weather events such as Hurricane Sandy and Hurricane Yolanda in the Philippines in 2013 will change American perceptions about global warming and its immediate repercussions. 

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