New Poll Identifies Global Warming as Top Environmental Problem
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 07.19.07
According to a new poll released by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), a majority of voters in six moderate to conservative congressional districts now believe global warming to be the top environmental problem and favor immediate actions to reduce carbon emissions. Air pollution and clean air were mentioned by 40% of respondents while clean water was only cited as a major concern by 25%.
Telephone surveys were conducted among voters who live in the congressional districts of six members of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee (which will be considering new global warming emissions legislation in the fall). In each case, 402 individuals were interviewed for a total of 2,416. The aggregate findings showed that an unprecedented 7 out of 10 voters agreed that global warming was a serious problem and, that given a choice, 73% would like to start cutting down on emissions now. Only 19% of voters expressed a preference for waiting until cleaner technologies were available.
The top strategy voters favored to lower global warming-induced pollution was requiring appliance makers to build more energy-efficient products and providing the public with better incentives to invest in solar energy and insulation. In a blow to the big Detroit car manufacturers, an overwhelming 87% of voters in all districts favored increasing CAFE standards to 35 miles per gallon within a decade.
"Voters in Blue Dog and moderate districts feel strongly about the urgency of solving global warming. They support immediate reductions of global warming pollution and strongly favor mandatory pollution limits on power plants, industry and refineries," said David Tuft, campaign director for the NRDC's Climate Center.
The districts polled for the survey were:
* Pennsylvania 14th Congressional District (Pittsburgh)
* Georgia 12th Congressional District (Savannah)
* Arkansas 4th Congressional District (Southern Arkansas, Pine Bluff, El Dorado)
* Louisiana 3rd Congressional District (Gulf Coast)
* Texas 29th Congressional District (Houston)
* Utah 2nd Congressional District (Salt Lake City, South and Eastern Utah)
Via ::Environment News Service: Poll: Global Warming Top Environmental Problem (news website)
See also: ::The New Climate Poll Numbers Are In From Pew, ::Polls Show Americans Wising up to Global Warming, ::Large Majority of Americans Support 40 mpg
No doubt global warming is a "top problem." In hopes of addressing it head on, the Center for American Progress has a great new campaign entitled, "Project Phin: Clean my ride flex my fuel."
The first of six videos was posted today with more to follow in the coming days. It's hilarious thanks to the comedic skills of Ben Affleck in a corn suit . . . yes that's right a corn suit. Check it out and help clean my ride. Thanks.
www.cleanmyride.org
it should be 40 but bush is a greedy u know what he thinks he can buy his way in to heaven
Higher but small mpg requirements represent a band-aid approach to the problems of desireable American car products as well as to to Global Warming.
There will be other presidents after Bush and other congressmen after our present congressmen. One can rest assured that with the changes in the price of oil and damage done to our environment due to Global Warming spiked by the excessive burning of carbon fuels, that our new set of leaders will be voted in to better represent our interests. Higher mpg requirements with Global Warming and its associated harm should then be given higher political priorities than at the present time.
It is a matter of development in the awarness of the public to issues that become pressing to their sustainable well being. Band-aid type actions on the part of our leaders is not going to be enough as we will be entering deeper into a world economy where the actions of one nation have an effect on others. The wasteful use of oil in our country is bound to have serious repercussions both to our way of life and to those in other countries.
You know the saying: "It is fine to swing your arms around as long as no one's face is in the way."
adrianakau2aol.com