Wednesday, April 1, 2009

A new poll just released has some promising data on American attitudes:
"When you make a mess, you're supposed to clean up after yourself," said Anthony Leiserowitz, director of Yale University's Project on Climate Change. "We think many Americans view climate change in a similar way. The United States should act to reduce its own emissions regardless of what other countries do."

Peoples' primary concerns about reducing global warming were that it would lead to more government regulation (44 percent), cause energy prices to rise (31 percent) or cost jobs and harm the economy (17 percent), the researchers said. However, among those who believed both positive and negative outcomes will occur, 92 percent said that despite their concerns, the nation should act to reduce global warming.
I'm actually surprised at these results. I would like to believe them, but it also seems like the funders of the poll would also like to believe optimistic numbers like these. Do they reflect the attitudes you've seen around you?

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