The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has brought up offshore drilling and the government's role in the policy towards energy and the entire industry. The environment in this year's primaries is a hot topic issue for voters. This issue is especially salient in those states in the southern parts of The United States of America where the oil spill by British Petroleum has severely altered many people's life on a daily basis. A lot of citizens are thus concerned about what they will do in the future because a lot of people who make a living off of fishing and the Gulf's ecosystem have not been able to fish do to all the oil and chemicals and pollutants in the water.
The first poll I found was taken between May 13-16, 2010 that was asking 1,002 adults from telephone interviews what national issue that congress should act on. Priorities for congress that these adults in the sample panned out in the order from most important to least important, the job situation (81%), the country's energy needs (57%), immigration policy (59%), financial regulation (54%), climate change (32%). What the Pew Research Center shows by doing these polls is that the number two most important issue that citizens believe the government should be working on is the country's energy needs. Climate change was also on the top five list which is significant that two different environment issues are needed to be eagerly dealt with.
Another poll done between June 10-13, 2010 I found by the Pew Research Center involving 1,010 adults in telephone interviews, asks people what they believe the United States Government should do in regard to offshore drilling. 31% said they believe the government should expand drilling, 35% wished to allow offshore drilling but ban the development of new wells, 22% said that all offshore drilling should be banned, and 12% didn't know. People you can then conclude that due to the situation in the gulf, one of the countries most salient issues they want congress to deal with, people want the government to get more involved in the surveillance and monitoring of mining and drilling for resources in deep water.
.jpg)
Reviewing and discussing public opinion of energy and energy source use.
I definitely think it says a lot that two environmental issues are at the top of the agenda and at the forefront of American's minds. I would not put it past most people to make the economy or health care their top priority at this point in time. We seem to be having a shift in the way the American public responds to disasters. They are becoming more prevalent and close to home, which increases awareness and interest.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised that more people did not say to ban all off shore drilling. I would think given the media tidal wave that was the BP oil spill, more people would think continuing drilling is a bad idea. Perhaps, like myself, much of the public is not necessarily well versed in terms of off shore drilling and the exact consequences it may have. It was an interesting post to read!