Flemming: 12 things Americans consider to bigger problems than climate change

By David Flemming

According to a recent Gallup poll, climate change is far down the list of America’s “most important problem” we’re facing.

In April, 45% Americans believed “coronavirus/diseases” was the biggest problem facing the country, followed by “the government/poor leadership” at 20%. In June, government/poor leadership edged out coronavirus/disease 21% to 20%.

Then government/poor leadership returned to second place in July, taking in 23% of the vote, exceeded again by coronavirus/disease at 30%.

As one might expect “race relations/racism” skyrocketed from 1% of the vote in April, to 19% in June and 16% in July, following the George Floyd death and riots.

How did “climate change/environment/pollution” place in each of these months? A high of 2% in June, sandwiched between two dismal showings of 1% in April and July. In fact, “unifying the country,” “crime/violence,” “economy in general,” “judicial system/courts/Laws,” “healthcare,” “unemployment/jobs,” “ethics/moral/religious/family decline,” “lack of respect for each other,” and “the media” all received a larger portion of the “biggest problem” vote in the most recent survey during July.

I imagine Vermonters have similar priorities, even if they place climate change a little higher than the average American. That is something for legislators to ponder as they consider passing the Global Warming Solutions Act and other climate legislation.

David Flemming is a policy analyst for the Ethan Allen Institute. Reprinted with permission from the Ethan Allen Institute Blog.

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Takver

2 thoughts on “Flemming: 12 things Americans consider to bigger problems than climate change

  1. The sad part of this is the climate blind leaders in Montpelier could care less about what the folks think or want because THEY KNOW BETTER!!!!! We can never win.

  2. Just because humans repeatedly yak about something doesn’t make it true!
    I’ve lived here in Vermont for almost 66 years and spent a lot of those years outdoors. I’ve seen no signs of Global Warming. I have noticed that we’ve shamefully neglect to control the erosion that continues to occur in our river’s and they are now little more than ankle deep in some places. What a eyesore on our beautiful land! When I was a young person fish were plentiful in our river’s and brooks. Often I saw people casting their line’s from shore bank or from bridges in my hometown. I don’t see this anymore! I’m not convinced there is anything abnormal. Human’s have such inflated ego’s and believe they can make or break something that nature has well in hand!
    One thing we do have control over is our garbage, our waste. I think if we focused on this we’d be busy enough!

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