How to read the recent polls

Over the past week, the Pew Research Center published studies that indicated a decline among the public in their general concern about the environment. For example, "The survey found 57% saying there is "solid evidence that the average temperature on earth has been getting warmer over the past few decades." In April 2008, 71% said there was solid evidence of global warming, and in 2006 and 2007, 77% expressed this view."

As a follow-up, Pew published attempts at helping us understand how and why that is. Check out the link on this blog to see what they say.

Bottom line, it seems that many of us are distracted by more immediate financial concerns. But we still believe that important remediation and prevention actions need to be taken. 83% of the public are still saying that stricter laws and regulations are needed to protect the environment.

Which makes the religious community's voice all the more important. We must continue to make the case that the earth is in need of healing, and that we need to realign our economic, manufacturing and consumption patterns to match the natural carrying capacity of the earth's systems.