COLUMBIA, SC (May 17, 2006) -- South Carolina hunters and anglers believe global warming is happening, want to see the U.S. become a leader in addressing the problem, and want immediate action at both the state and national level to combat this growing threat, according to a poll released today by the South Carolina Wildlife Federation.
"Some of South Carolina's most conservative citizens are witnessing the effects of global warming and are calling for leadership and solutions to address it," says Angela Viney, president of the South Carolina Wildlife Federation. "They feel we have a moral responsibility to confront global warming to protect our children's future."
"For more than a century, sportsmen have been on the frontlines of South Carolina's conservation movement," says Viney. "Now that they are seeing the effects of global warming on the waters where they fish and in the woods where they hunt, they are once again taking the lead and urging America and fellow South Carolinians to stand up to this problem."
In a first-of-its-kind poll by the South Carolina Wildlife Federation and the National Wildlife Federation, 68 percent of South Carolina sportsmen agree that global warming is an urgent problem requiring immediate action.
The poll also shows that hunters and anglers in the state are concerned about the impacts of climate change on fish and wildlife. Sixty-five percent say global warming is a serious threat to fish and wildlife, and 71 percent are concerned that wildlife and fish population in areas where they typically hunt or fish will decrease significantly or disappear in the next ten years.
"Warmer temperatures, more intense hurricanes, and rising sea levels will be on the forecast for our state if we don't act now," says Tom McInnis, chairman of the South Carolina Council of Trout Unlimited. "We could even witness the extinction of some animal species, like brook trout, in our state."
Hunting and fishing expenditures total over $1 billion a year in South Carolina and nearly one in every four residents hunt or fish. Poll respondents mainly describe themselves as moderate (35 percent) or conservative (48 percent), and 69 percent said they voted for President Bush in the last election. Overwhelmingly (84 percent), this constituency says they want to see more leadership on the issue of global warming.
Eighty-eight percent think the U.S. is addicted to oil and 84 percent do not think Congress or the administration is doing enough to break this addiction. South Carolina sportsmen believe the U.S. should be a world leader in addressing global warming and believe that solving the problem should be a high priority.
"The bad news is, a majority of those polled think this country is on the wrong track in meeting our national energy needs," says Viney. "The good news is, they believe we can improve the environment and strengthen the economy by investing in clean, renewable energy technologies that create jobs while reducing global warming pollution."
When asked the best way for America to address its energy needs, 54 percent said the U.S. should rely less on oil and gas and expand the development of renewable forms of energy like wind, solar and ethanol. Another 27 percent said the U.S. should conserve more, waste less, and develop more fuel-efficient vehicles.
Hunters and anglers also want to see action on the state level. In South Carolina, 90 percent of sportsmen support the development of a statewide energy policy that encourages the development and use of alternative fuels and renewable sources of energy. Seventy-one percent also think South Carolina should implement management strategies to help fish and wildlife in the state adapt to a changing climate.
"Sportsmen clearly want to see our leaders take the next vital steps toward finding solutions that will truly really address the problem," says Kathy Stephens, board chair of the South Carolina Wildlife Federation. "This poll shows that there is no political drawback in being a global warming leader in South Carolina. In fact, it shows that it is a huge political bonus."
"We have reached a tipping point in this country where sportsmen's voices are joining those of millions of other Americans who see global warming as a threat and want action to confront it," says Stephens. "If we want our children and grandchildren to inherit a wildlife legacy we can be proud of, we must start taking action today."
The South Carolina Wildlife Federation and National Wildlife Federation commissioned Responsive Management of Harrisburg, VA, to conduct the non-partisan survey. From late March through April 2006, 305 hunters and anglers were polled, chosen from state lists of individuals holding hunting and fishing licenses. The poll has a sampling error of plus or minus 5.6 percent at a 95 percent confidence level.
Complete poll results are available at www.targetglobalwarming.org/southcarolina [0]
The South Carolina Wildlife Federation facilitates effective habitat conservation and respect for outdoor traditions for current and future generations through statewide leadership, education, advocacy and partnerships. www.scwf.org [1]
The National Wildlife Federation is America's conservation organization protecting wildlife for our children's future. www.nwf.org [2]
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For Immediate Release: May 17, 2006
Contact:
Bob Wizlinski, SCWF, 803-783-6417
Aislinn Maestas, NWF, 202-797-6624