If you’re a Republican and a fan of Sean Hannity, global warming is a scam. If you’re a Rachel Maddow-watching Democrat, you fret about ways to reduce your carbon footprint. Scientists produce report after report about the threat of climate change, but, like so many other issues in science, political ideology ultimately determines where people stand.

Or does it?

A survey published Wednesday by the Pew Research Center reveals that Americans’ views on many science-related policies are more likely to be shaped by demographics—age, race, gender, religion, and education—than by political beliefs, often with surprising results.

“The broad pattern is that climate and energy issues are highly politicized,” writes Pew, “whereas issues tied to biomedical science, food safety, and space policy often