Nationwide poll shows Americans want a strong treaty at Copenhagen
Majority supports a legally binding climate deal that peaks emissions by 2015
A new poll commissioned by global campaign network Avaaz.org in the middle of the Copenhagen climate negotiations shows widespread American support for the Obama administration to lead the world to a real climate deal in Copenhagen.
“This poll shows that the majority of Americans want a real deal — an ambitious and binding global climate treaty that peaks global emissions by 2015,” said Ricken Patel, Executive Director of Avaaz.org.
The poll showed a majority of Americans support a legally binding climate treaty that peaks emissions by 2015. By a two-to-one margin (61% in favor, 33% opposed), Americans want the US to sign a treaty in Copenhagen that peaks global emissions by 2015. Moreover, a majority (53%) want that treaty to be legally binding, with only 40% opposed.
“Americans know who the villains are in the fight against climate change. Sixty-four percent of Americans believe that oil and coal companies have too much influence over Congress”, said Patel.
The poll showed that 64% of Americans say that oil and coal companies have too much influence on Congress and decisions on climate change policies, with only 11% saying they have too little influence and 19% saying the right amount of influence. Obama’s base of strong Democrats feels that way even more strongly, with 74% saying too much influence — but over two-thirds of independents (68%) agree, and even a majority of strong Republicans (52%) agree.
“Americans are fully aware that political promises are not sufficient in the fight against climate change — only 6% of Americans trust world leaders fully to cut emissions without a legally binding treaty,” added Patel.
According to the poll, only 6% of Americans say they have “a lot” of trust in world leaders to reduce emissions without a legally binding climate treaty, and only an additional 20% say they have “some” trust — with fully 71% saying they have very little trust or none at all (26% saying “very little” and a stunning 45% saying “none at all”.
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Avaaz.org is a global campaign network of 3.6 million citizens who take action for a more just and peaceful world. Avaaz means ‘voice’ in many languages www.avaaz.org
