US Seachange on Environment

Posted August 5, 2006 in News

The survey of 1,478 adults revealed a growing awareness of global warming. More than seven in 10 said it was a problem and 58 percent said the Bush administration is doing too little to reduce it.

Most, or 75 percent, said they have cut back on household spending or taken steps to conserve energy in response to rocketing fuel costs. Rising energy costs also are prompting more enthusiasm for opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska to oil drilling, with 45 percent saying it should be allowed in the refuge. However, a majority, 51 percent, continue to oppose drilling there.

In general Americans say they want more action on environmental problems than they are getting. By a ratio of more than 2-to-1 they also say congressional Democrats do a better job on the environment than Republicans.

A strong partisan, as well as a regional, divide marked people's assessments. The president got his worst marks in the West and East, where slightly less than one-third approve of his handling of environmental issues. He got his best score in the South, where 54 percent approve. Most Republicans, 74 percent, backed him on the environment, compared to 18 percent of Democrats.

Source: San Jose Mercury News

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