(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Most people in the United States believe global warming is a dangerous issue, but reject a proposal to increase fuel taxes as a way to curb pollution, according to a poll by Zogby Interactive released by MSN. 51 per cent of respondents consider climate change is an urgent threat, while 42 per cent disagree.

In addition, 51 per cent of respondents would disagree with paying more taxes on gasoline in order to fund efforts to curb global warming.

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. Earlier this year, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a report which states that global warming has been "very likely"—or 90 per cent certain—caused by humans burning fossil fuels.

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. has not ratified the treaty, which is due to expire in 2012.

Former U.S. vice-president Al Gore, an anti-global warming activist, has proposed that the current payroll tax be replaced by a consumer tax on fossil-fuel use. The "carbon tax" would raise the price of gasoline and both home heating and cooling. New York senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, who is seeking the Democratic Party's presidential nomination in 2008, has referred to Gore's proposal, saying a gas tax is "hardly politically palatable at this moment."

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the national average cost of a gallon of fuel reached a record high on May 24 at $3.22 U.S. Yesterday, the average price was $2.95 U.S.

Polling Data

Do you believe global warming is an urgent threat?

Would you agree or disagree with increasing fuel taxes to fund climate change efforts?

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