December 22, 2006

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Adults in the United States are dissatisfied with the way their president has dealt with environmental issues, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 67 per cent of respondents rate George W. Bush's handling of this topic as fair or poor.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Adults in the United States are dissatisfied with the way their president has dealt with environmental issues, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 67 per cent of respondents rate George W. Bush's handling of this topic as fair or poor.

The term global warming refers to an increase of the Earth's average temperature. Some theories say that climate change might be the result of human-generated carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. 46 per cent of respondents think global warming is caused primarily by human activity, while 35 per cent point to long term planetary trends.

In 1998, several countries agreed to the Kyoto Protocol, a proposed amendment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The agreement commits nations to reduce their emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. The U.S. signed the protocol but has not ratified it.

In June 2005, Bush defended his decision not to adhere to the protocol, saying, "Kyoto would have wrecked our economy. I couldn't in good faith have signed Kyoto."

Earlier this month, the U.S. Congress reauthorized the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Bush expressed satisfaction, declaring, "This landmark legislation provides stronger tools to achieve progress internationally to ensure healthy fish stocks, promote better management, and halt destructive fishing practices based on sound science."

Polling Data

How do you rate U.S. president George W. Bush's handling of environmental issues?

Excellent	11%
Good	21%
Fair	25%
Poor	42%

Is global warming caused primarily by human activity or by long term planetary trends?

Human activity	46%
Long term planetary trends	35%

Source: Rasmussen Reports
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,000 American adults, conducted on Dec. 16 and Dec. 17, 2006. Margin of error is 3 per cent.