Jack Gerard
Jane Van Ryan
House and Senate leaders are continuing to push for climate legislation despite the fact that far fewer people believe that global warming is a serious problem, according to a new survey released today by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press. The survey, conducted among 1,500 adults from Sept. 30-Oct. 4, shows that 35 percent of respondents believe global warming is very serious as compared with 44 percent in April 2008.
Similarly, the new poll shows that 36 percent of Americans believe that global temperatures are linked to human activity, down from 47 percent last year.
The poll also indicates that few Americans are following the debate about the climate bills that are being considered in Congress. A majority (55 percent) said they had heard nothing about "cap and trade" policies that would place limits on carbon dioxide emissions, and only 14 percent said had heard a lot about the policies. And those who have heard a lot about the issue said they oppose carbon limits by a two-to-one margin.
Partisan differences were evident in the poll. Those who described themselves as liberal Democrats were more concerned about global climate than moderate or conservative Democrats. Only a third of self-described independents ranked global warming as a very serious problem, which is a 13 percent decline from last year. Only 14 percent of Republicans considered global warming a very serious problem, down from 22 percent in April 2008.
A January 2009 Pew report shows that most Americans do not believe that global climate legislation should be a top priority for the administration and Congress. They were much more concerned about the economy and jobs, which studies show could be harmed by the climate legislation being considered by Congress.
If you agree, visit the Action Center to tell your elected officials to produce a bill that does not harm the economy.
I find it unfortunate to read a blog stating that a minority of Americans are not concerned about climate legislation.
What is not mentioned in the blog post is the extremely strong scientific evidence that human-caused climate change is not only real but will cause serious issues for our food and water supply and national security in the next century.
What is also not mentioned is a reliable figure on the number of jobs that can be gained or lost as a result of climate legislation. It should be noted that some jobs will be created to produce, supply, and sell renewable energy.
Lastly, the American public's lack of understanding of the climate crisis should not imply that a lack of strong action by our elected representatives to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions is in the best interest of the American people.
I feel sorry for the comment ahead of mine because they have swallowed the NON scientist, Al Gore's propaganda, hook line and sinker. Why doesn't anyone look at the facts? There are scientists left and right screaming that the globe has COOLED consistently for the last 3 years! We are still in the melt down from the ice age- thank goodness cuz we wouldn't be here if there was still an iced over earth.
As far as CO2 being "dangerously emitted".... Hello? that is tree and plant food! I listened to a scientist last week who was actually afraid that this cap and trade crap would be passed because it would KILL vegetation, FOOD, trees, and plants. How dumb is everyone? Especially Obama- just trying to totally freak everyone out so he can TAX you. He doesn't really believe this crap- HE JUST WANTS TO TAX YOU WITH A SMILE and so you will feel good about paying through the nose. If you haven't studied socialism, now would be the time to do it because Obama and a lot of the Dems are socialists and they want our people to worship him and FOLLOW him. It's really scary how big the propaganda has gotten in just a couple of years.
Read the FACTS people and get some sense- sit back and really look at what is happening.
Hello, Tray. We encourage a wide range of opinions on this blog. Thanks for your comment.
Regarding job estimates, several studies have been conducted on the number of jobs that could be gained or lost as a result of the Waxman-Markey bill. A study commissioned by the National Black Chamber of Commerce indicates that more than 2 million American jobs could be lost, even after accounting for the new green jobs that could be created.
With our current unemployment rate of 9.8 percent, it appears that the bill could be harmful to many American families as well as the overall economy.
Gobrenda3, I think that you are misinformed on climate science. While it's true that the terrestrial earth has not warmed in the past few years, 3 years of weather does not determine climate. I am a PhD candidate in the field of earth science, and I know that there is an overwhelming consensus that climate change is real and we're already experiencing its impacts. I do not wish to get into a political debate regarding our president, especially one that strays from the topic of climate change. What we should know is that the AAAS (one of the most respected scientific organizations) stands by the following statement "...we are already experiencing global climate change. It is time to muster the political will for concerted action. Stronger leadership at all levels is needed. The time is now. We must rise to the challenge. We owe this to future generations."
Jane, thanks for posting the information about jobs. Current jobs losses hit me close to home: both of my brothers were laid off from high-tech jobs in the past year, and they've been having a difficult time finding new employment. Here is a fact: we can't negotiate with physics and chemistry. Putting more greenhouse gas emissions into the air will raise the temperature of our planet with potentially enormous impacts on our society, economy, and health. We can, however, create clean industries and generate green jobs, and this should be our focus. Climate change is a global issue: let's take a global perspective on jobs and people's livelihoods. With just 1m of sea level rise 15 million Bangladeshi's will be displaced. Countries like the Maldives will be underwater. What are the other impacts of climate change that are perhaps more significant than short term job losses?