Energy And Environment - A Poll

Perhaps the most important issue facing Americans (and people all over the world) is the issue of energy -- where we're going to get what we need and how is it going to affect our environment (which is already reeling from the overuse of carbon-based fuels). There are currently two points of view about what needs to be done.

One group wants nothing but more drilling fir carbon-based fuels like oil and gas. At best, this is a short-term solution only (since even our own military believes the world is at or will soon reach the point of "peak oil" -- after which production will drop no matter how much drilling is done). Relying solely on increased drilling will also further damage the environment (including global climate change).

The other point of view is to abandon carbon-based fuels as quickly as possible and rely on renewable and non-polluting forms of energy. The problem with this is that these forms of energy are not fully-developed enough to immediately fill all of our energy needs. Much more research and construction are needed (which means more government funding is needed).

This brings up the question -- what do the majority of Americans want? That may be the most important question because what a significant majority of Americans want is probably what will be done (since most politicians are not nearly brave enough to go against public opinion -- whether that public opinion makes sense or not).

The Gallup Poll has made an attempt to find out how Americans feel about energy/environment issues. They asked eight questions, and here is what they found (with the percentage shown being the affirmative answers to the question asked):

SHOULD HIGHER EMISSIONS AND POLLUTION STANDARDS SHOULD BE SET FOR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY?
Everyone...............70%
Republicans...............54%
Democrats...............85%

SHOULD MORE GOVERNMENT MONEY SHOULD BE SPENT ON DEVELOPING SOLAR AND WIND POWER?
Everyone...............69%
Republicans...............51%
Democrats...............84%

SHOULD MORE GOVERNMENT MONEY SHOULD BE SPENT TO DEVELOP ALTERNATE SOURCES OF FUEL FOR AUTOMOBILES?
Everyone...............66%
Republicans...............51%
Democrats...............81%

SHOULD MANDATORY CONTROLS BE IMPOSED ON CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS AND OTHER GREENHOUSE GASES?
Everyone...............65%
Republicans...............50%
Democrats...............82%

SHOULD MORE LAND OWNED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BE OPENED UP FOR OIL EXPLORATION?
Everyone...............65%
Republicans...............84%
Democrats...............49%

SHOULD FEDERAL ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS BE MORE STRONGLY ENFORCED?
Everyone...............54%
Republicans...............47%
Democrats...............80%

SHOULD HIGHER AUTO EMISSIONS STANDARDS BE SET FOR AUTOMOBILES?
Everyone...............62%
Republicans...............49%
Democrats...............76%

SHOULD THE USE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY BE EXPANDED?
Everyone...............52%
Republicans...............64%
Democrats...............41%

I would agree with all but two of these questions. I wouldn't like to see more federal lands opened for oil exploration. That would just result in destroying a precious heritage for only a short-term and dubious gain. Also, I think we still have questions that need to be answered before we invest in more nuclear energy plants -- especially in light of the Japanese nuclear plant disaster. Couldn't something equally as devastating happen here?