Climate change alarmists are not likely to tout the results of a new Gallup poll, which found that nearly half of Americans are now “not at all” or “not much” concerned about global warming.
Among nine environmental concerns poll respondents were asked about, global warming finished dead last in terms of the “personal worry” the issue generates.
Topping the list was “contamination of soil and water by toxic waste” – 79 percent said they are worried a “great deal” or “a fair amount,” and just 20 percent are “not at all” or “not much” concerned.
Also of considerable concern to at least 75 percent of respondents are “pollution of rivers, lakes, and reservoirs,” “pollution of drinking water,” and “maintenance of the nation’s supply of fresh water for household needs.”
“Air pollution” personally worries 72 percent of respondents a great deal or a fair amount, “extinction of plant and animal species” troubles 64 percent, “the loss of tropical rain forests” seriously concerns 63 percent, and “urban sprawl and loss of open spaces” worries 57 percent, according to the poll of more than 1,000 adults.
Only a bare majority of respondents, 51 percent, say they are a great deal or a fair amount worried about global warming. That is down 12 percentage points from a poll in March 2001. And 48 percent feel little or no anxiety about it.
“Although the United States has experienced nothing like the mass drinking-water scare that is gripping Japan during its current nuclear crisis, Americans largely recognize the importance of clean water to their lives,” Gallup states.
“All four environmental issues referring to ‘water’ in this year’s Gallup Environment poll rank in the upper tier of environmental concerns.
“What may surprise some, given the broad exposure the issue has received in recent years, is that global warming ranks lowest – consistent with other Gallup polling – with barely half of Americans concerned and 48 percent only a little or not at all concerned.”
Gallup poll results released earlier in March showed that 43 percent of respondents believe the seriousness of global warming is generally exaggerated in the news media.