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
Comments (1)
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.
Posted by: Mustafa Mond, FCD | October 18, 2006 12:09 PM