Global Warming Slips In Public's Consciousness

Global warming has slipped precipitously in the public's mind as a top concern, as the nation's recession took the number one slot in a Pew Research Center telephone poll. In fact, it ranked last in a list of 20 issues, yet 'energy' was #6.

1 minute read

January 29, 2009, 10:00 AM PST

By Irvin Dawid

"In the poll, released Thursday by the nonpartisan Pew Research Center, global warming came in last among 20 voter concerns; it trailed issues like addressing moral decline and decreasing the influence of lobbyists. Only 30 percent of the voters deemed global warming to be "a top priority," compared with 35 percent in 2008.

In contrast, dealing with the nation's energy problems ranked sixth in the poll - just behind education and social security - with 60 percent of voters endorsing it as a top priority. 'Strengthening the nation's economy' was the top-ranked concern of voters in the Pew poll."

From Pew survey:

"Protecting the environment fell the most precipitously – just 41% rate this as a top priority today, down from 56% a year ago. The public's interest in many other policy areas remains relatively stable, by comparison."

Thanks to Leonard Conly

FULL STORY: Environmental Issues Slide in Poll of Public’s Concerns

Thursday, January 22, 2009 in The New York Times

Energy Environment Social / Demographics United States Global Warming

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