Newswise — A Zogby International poll of 1,018 likely voters released today shows that not only are Americans more convinced that global warming is happening than they were two years ago, but they are also linking recent intense weather events like Hurricane Katrina, this summer's heat wave and droughts to global warming.
The findings are not a scientific assertion that weather events are the result of global warming. They do show people are making the connection between global warming and the more intense weather events they experience and hear about.
Here are the poll highlights:
Three-fourths of American voters (74 percent) are more convinced today that global warming is happening than they were two years ago. Only one is five say they are less convinced global warming is occurring.
The numbers of people more convinced global warming is happening cuts across all demographic segments including region of the country, age, religion, racial background, gender and income group.
Majorities of Democrats (87 percent), Independents (82 percent) and Republicans (56 percent) said they are now somewhat or much more convinced that global warming is happening than they were two years ago.
"Global warming isn't about right or left, it's about right or wrong," said Larry Schweiger, National Wildlife Federation president. "American's believe we have a moral responsibility to confront global warming to protect our children's future."
Almost 70 percent of those surveyed believe that global warming has had a major or some influence on recent weather events: hurricanes like Katrina 68 percent; more frequent droughts 69 percent; less snowfall 68 percent; this summer's heat wave 65 percent; more wildfires 58 percent.
72 percent of those polled agree that addressing global warming by requiring industries to reduce their green house gas emissions can improve the environment without harming the economy. This is up 5 percent from the same question asked three years ago.
When reviewed in total, this poll indicates that a growing majority of Americans, across all demographic categories, and political persuasions, recognize global warming as a threat that we as a nation must address.
Complete poll results can be found at http://www.zogby.com/news/readnews.dbm?ID=1160.
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