Recent study shows Americans rank climate change as one of lowest priorities.

By: Curt Cramer

A Gallup survey released today that was conducted last week shows climate change ranking just about dead last on a list of 15 national priorities, barely skimming ahead of “race relations”. Only 24% of respondents said they cared a “great deal” about climate change while 56% claims they care “little” or “not at all”.

According to Gallup this is the all time lowest level of care Americans show about climate change since the survey began in 2001. 2007 marked the time Americans cared most about climate issues, with 47% claiming they cared a great deal.

Climate concerns also parallel party lines in the US. Democrat or democrat-leaning individuals list the environment as a priority 45% of the time, while Republicans feeling the same only amounted to 16%.

In the professional community globally, attitudes are quite different however, with both scientists and certain politicians both airing heavy concerns for environmental issues. Senate majority leader Harry Reid (D-NV) last week told reporters at a roundtable discussion, “climate change is the worst problem facing the world today”. According to Huffington Post, 30 Senators also took part in an all-night discussion on climate issues facing the world today as well last week. The US still continues to be very behind the times with climate change legislation, however.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, one of the most prominent international groups of scientists and government policymakers, calls climate change “very evident” in a recent report outlining the massive consequences of unchecked climate change.

-Curt Cramer(@CurtisRemarc)