The next hurricane season is only a few months away, and when it comes to the possible link between global warming and more intense storms, according to a just released Gallup poll, roughly half of Americans think hurricanes have already become more powerful due to global warming or will in the next ten years.
Yet, relative to perceptions of this climate impact there remain major partisan differences. According to the survey, 83% of Democrats worry that hurricanes will become more powerful due to global warming compared to only 49% of Republicans.
Comments
Shoot. 83 percent of Democrats and 49 percent of Republicans? Where are the independents, who make up about 25 percent of the electorate? That would be an interesting addition to the calculus. Even so, 83+49 ought to be more than enough to get something done. Simplistic, I know, but perhaps it's time to stop worrying about the holdouts, let them wither away under their own misconceptions, and let the rest git 'er done (Lord, forgive me for that...) ;-)
Posted by: Pete | March 12, 2007 2:04 PM
What I find most interesting about this poll is that, responding to a question that calls for considerable expertise and factual knowledge, only 1% of those polled offered no opinion.
I don't know much, but that doesn't mean I'm not sure I'm right.
Posted by: Michael Burton | March 12, 2007 6:12 PM
Knowledge brings uncertainity, Michael Burton.
Posted by: llewelly | March 13, 2007 6:48 PM