This is encouraging: Alaskans actually care about their own destruction. According to a new survey led by Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz, the citizens of the state most directly affected by global warming have actually noticed what is happening, and they don't like it:
Over 81% of Alaskans are convinced that global warming is happening. A majority (55%) believe it is caused primarily by human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, as opposed to normal cycles in the earth's environment (37%).
Most Alaskans believe global warming is already causing or accelerating the loss of sea ice (83%) melting permafrost (82%), coastal erosion (74%), and forest fires (72%) in Alaska, among other impacts.
A large majority (67%) report that their local temperatures have increased, while 93% of people who have noticed local temperature changes say that global warming is at least partly responsible.
Two out of three Alaskans (67%) say that global warming will be bad for Alaska, while 26% say it will be good.
Hat tip: Massimo
Alaska is an interesting crucible for environmental issues. The state is full of nature lovers, the oil industry, and the military. Not necessarily in that order.