Good news more Americans are starting to believe in climate change. Duke University poll showed that the percentage of Americans believing in climate change is at it highest level since 2007. In the past the debate on climate changed has been a crucial subject with scientist and political parties.
"Whether in response to extreme weather events like mega-storm Sandy or the improved economy, public opinion has clearly rebounded from its low point of a couple years ago," said Frederick Mayer, associate professor of public policy and political science and poll conductor.
Other key findings of the poll include:
▪ The percentage of Americans who agree there is solid evidence of a changing climate has steadily increased since 2010. The Duke poll found 50 percent of Americans are convinced the climate is changing and another 34 percent say it is probably changing an increase from other recent polls.
▪ 54 percent feel climate change is primarily the result of human activity (the highest level in the past couple of years).
▪ There are strong partisan differences in the perceived seriousness of the problem. About half of Democrats say it is "very serious" while 35 percent of Independents and 17 percent of Republicans agree.
Getting public support for regulating greenhouse gas emissions and requiring utilities to switch to lower-carbon fuel sources is an important step in the process that will influence policy makers' decisions.
"Although there appears to be little prospect for tax or cap-and-trade legislation in the current Congress, there is a clear opening for stronger regulation and investments in clean energy," says Mayer.
Although Democrats are more willing than Republicans to support all policies, the preference for a regulatory or clean energy approach is shared across party lines. Bipartisan support for regulating greenhouse gas emissions and for clean energy requirements shows a united front. These findings reflect a reinforced backing behind investments and research that will hopefully lead to policy changes, which encourage the growth of a clean energy industry.
I am happy to see that more people are wanting a change and want to be more energy efficient. I don't know what is changing the minds of the people but I hope they keep going toward a more sustainable environment and not just thinking about money and material things.
Read more at Duke University.
Climate change words image via Shutterstock.
http://www.enn.com/pollution/article/45590
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