TSPA News
Despite Awareness of Global Warming Americans Concerned More about Local Environment...
Posted: 3/30/2008Link: http://munews.missouri.edu/news-releases/2008/0326-koniskypublicattitudesonenvironment.php
MU Professor Finds Americans are Hesitant to Support Global Environmental Efforts
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Last week, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown declared climate change a top international threat, and Al Gore urged politicians to get involved to fight global warming. Results from a recent survey conducted by a University of Missouri professor reveal that the U.S. public, while aware of the deteriorating global environment, is concerned predominantly with local and national environmental issues.
“The survey’s core result is that people care about their communities and express the desire to see government action taken toward local and national issues,” said David Konisky, a policy research scholar with the Institute of Public Policy. “People are hesitant to support efforts concerning global issues even though they believe that environmental quality is poorer at the global level than at the local and national level. This is surprising given the media attention that global warming has recently received and reflects the division of opinion about the severity of climate change.”
Full news story can be found at http://munews.missouri.edu/news-releases/2008/0326-koniskypublicattitudesonenvironment.php
Story Contact: Emily Smith, (573) 882-3346, SmithEA@missouri.edu