April 09, 2006

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in the United States believe the protection of the water supply is the top environmental concern, according to a poll by Gallup. More than 50 per cent of respondents say they worry a great deal about the pollution of drinking water, the contamination of soil and water by toxic waste, and the pollution of rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in the United States believe the protection of the water supply is the top environmental concern, according to a poll by Gallup. More than 50 per cent of respondents say they worry a great deal about the pollution of drinking water, the contamination of soil and water by toxic waste, and the pollution of rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.

The maintenance of the nation's supply of fresh water for household needs is next on the list of concerns with 49 per cent, followed by air pollution, damage to the earth's ozone layer, and the loss of tropical rain forests.

The "greenhouse effect" or global warming is next with 36 per cent, followed by the extinction of plant and animal species with 34 per cent, and acid rain with 24 per cent.

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.

In July 2005 at the G-8 summit in Perthshire, Scotland, the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States promised to implement a "new dialogue" on climate change, deeming the issue a "serious long-term challenge" for the planet.

Polling Data

I'm going to read you a list of environmental problems. As I read each one, please tell me if you personally worry about this problem a great deal.

Pollution of drinking water	54%
Contamination of soil and water by toxic waste	52%
Pollution of rivers, lakes, and reservoirs	51%
Maintenance of the nation's supply of fresh water for household needs	49%
Air pollution	44%
Damage to the earth's ozone layer	40%
The loss of tropical rain forests	40%
The "greenhouse effect" or global warming	36%
Extinction of plant and animal species	34%
Acid rain	24%

Source: Gallup
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,000 American adults, conducted from Mar. 13 to Mar. 16, 2006. Margin of error is 3 per cent.