Public Concern About Global Warming Rises

The public is becoming more concerned with global warming and the impact of humans on the environment. The Center for American Progress published an article titled “Clean Energy, Stricter CO2 Pollution Standards Revel in Polling” which explains the publics growing concern for alternatives to non-renewable energy. The article displays linkages between party affiliation, age, and how you view the energy sources we should be exploiting.

Apparently in a recent Yale poll, participants indicated that a candidates view on global warming will affect their vote. This leads us to believe that people are really taking the issue seriously. Majorities have suggested that instead of cuts in education, Social Security, or medicare they would rather see a tax put on carbon emissions. Public support of alterative energy sources (wind, solar, hydrogen) have risen about seven percent from March of 2012 to February of 2013. Also support to expand exploration and production of oil, coal and natural gas has shrunk about five percent during the same time frame.

There is a divide between political party views on renewable energy. Democrats largely prefer alternative energy sources compared to Republicans. Another obvious divide is age. Voters between the ages of 18 and 29 supported alternative energy by a whopping 71 percent. Voters over the age of 65 favored coal, oil and natural gas expansion to alternative energy sources. Secretary of State John Kerry declared in a speech that “We as a nation must have the foresight and courage to make the investments necessary to safeguard the most sacred trust we keep for our children and grandchildren; an environment not ravaged by rising seas, deadly supers storms, devastating droughts and the other hallmarks of a dramatically changing climate.” In closing the article indicates that President Obama takes the issue of renewable energy seriously, the article suggests that he may use executive authority to limit the carbon power plants may emit. Obama is quoted as saying “if congress won’t act soon to protect future generations [from climate change] I will.”

http://www.earthtechling.com/2013/02/clean-energy-stricter-co2-pollution-standards-revel-in-polling/

Caroline Schenck

SOC 202-01

March 1, 2013