"Should Candidates Discuss Global Warming?"

"Ever since comprehensive legislation to reduce greenhouse gases died in Congress two years ago, my colleague John Broder noted here recently, climate change has been the issue that national politicians seem to avoid at all costs. Supporting renewable energy? Fine. Advocating energy independence? Great. Calling for action on global warming? Not so much."



"A new study from Yale’s Center on Climate Change Communication, based on polling done in March — before the summer heat wave and the news that July was the hottest month ever recorded in the United States — shows that 55 percent of registered voters say that the candidates’ views on global warming will factor into their decisions in the polling booth.

Most of these voters also believe the evidence that global warming is stepping up and that the federal government should do something about it. A slight plurality of independent voters said they felt the same."

Felicity Barringer reports for the New York Times' Green blog August 16, 2012.

SEE ALSO:

"Only 2% of Canadians Don't Think Climate Change Is Happening" (Atlantic Wire)

"The Political Benefits of Taking a Pro-Climate Stand in 2012" (Yale Project on Climate Change Communication)

"Voters Wish Politicians Would Fix the Climate. Really." (Grist)

"Climate Change Not a Presidential Election Issue Yet" (AP)

"Media Fail To Put Record Heat Report In Climate Context" (Media Matters)

"STUDY: TV Media Ignore Climate Change In Coverage Of Record July Heat" (Media Matters)
 

Source: Green/NYT, 08/17/2012