Arkansas Poll Results: Global Warming

The results of the most recent Arkansas Poll have been released. Following is the section on global warming.

The full release about this year's poll can be found at: http://plsc.uark.edu/arkpoll/news_release_'06.htm.

Full summary reports of this and previous polls from the years 1999 through 2006 can be accessed online at http://plsc.uark.edu/arkpoll/.

Global Warming

The majority of Arkansans - 62 percent - are mostly or completely convinced that global warming is happening, and 44 percent judge it an urgent problem requiring immediate attention.

"To some extent global warming is manifesting as a nonpartisan issue in Arkansas," said Jessica M. Nolan, a psychology doctoral student and collaborative polling partner. "Although there are differences between respondents from different political parties, it is also true that a majority of respondents from each political party - Democrat, Republican or Independent - supports developing a national plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions."

The poll indicated that many Arkansans are willing to make some changes to reduce emissions. Nearly half of Arkansans were at least somewhat interested in joining a carpool for their commute, compared to only 20 percent of Americans in a nationwide poll conducted in 2005. Arkansans also are willing to pay more at the pump for cleaner gas. A clear majority - 62 percent - favor requiring that all gasoline be formulated to produce lower emissions, even if it adds 5 cents to the price of gasoline. At the same time, only 18 percent favor a tax on gasoline intended to decrease driving and promote sales of more fuel-efficient cars.

More about this poll can be found at Arkansas Poll's website at http://plsc.uark.edu/arkpoll/