January 05, 2007

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in the United States predict that fuel costs will escalate in 2007, according to a poll by Ipsos-Public Affairs released by the Associated Press. 93 per cent of respondents believe gas prices will go up this year.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in the United States predict that fuel costs will escalate in 2007, according to a poll by Ipsos-Public Affairs released by the Associated Press. 93 per cent of respondents believe gas prices will go up this year.

In addition, 81 per cent of respondents expect the U.S. Congress to raise the minimum wage, 74 per cent of respondents think global warming will get worse, and 70 per cent predict a major natural disaster in the U.S.

In the topic of terrorism, 64 per cent of respondents foresee an attack somewhere in the world with biological or nuclear weapons, and 61 per cent believe the United States will be hit. Also, 57 per cent think another U.S. state will legalize same-sex marriage, 50 per cent believe avian influenza will reach their country, 35 per cent expect a cure for cancer to be found, and 19 per cent predict that evidence of extraterrestrial life will be encountered.

In July 2006, the price of an oil barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange reached a record high of $78.40 U.S. Yesterday, the cost was $55.59 U.S.

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the national average cost of a gallon of fuel reached a record high in September 2005 at $3.05 U.S. Yesterday, the average cost was $2.32 U.S.

Polling Data

I'm going to read you a list of items that may or may not happen in the year 2007. For each one, please tell me if it is likely.
("Likely" listed only)

Gas prices will go up	93%
The U.S. Congress will raise the minimum wage	81%
Global warming will get worse	74%
The United States will be hit with a major natural disaster	70%
Terrorists will attack somewhere in the world with biological or nuclear weapons	64%
The United States will be hit with a terrorist attack	61%
A U.S. state will legalize gay marriage	57%
Bird flu will arrive in the United States	50%
A cure for cancer will be found	35%
Scientists will find evidence of extraterrestrial life	19%

Source: Ipsos-Public Affairs / Associated Press
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,000 American adults, conducted from Dec. 12 to Dec. 14, 2006. Margin of error is 3 per cent.