Most Americans growing increasingly worried about climate change

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - A growing number of Americans believe that climate change is a significant problem whose troubles are increasingly mounting, according to a poll released Tuesday.

A full 59% of Americans agree climate change is very or extremely important, according to the survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago. The figure is a significant jump from 2018 when just 49% agreed.

Moreover, 59% also agree that the pace of climate change is growing faster with 27% saying it is increasing a lot faster.

More than half of respondents -- 51% -- said extreme weather events, including floods, droughts and wildfires have had a great deal or a lot of influence on their views.

In light of the shift in views, 55% want to see Congress pass legislation that would increase the US share of energy that comes from renewable sources rather than fossil fuels like coal and natural gas. Only 16% said they oppose such a plan.

That is telling with lawmakers on Capitol Hill attempting to reach consensus on President Joe Biden's infrastructure deal, which envisions a similar proposal. But opposition from Democratic Senator Joe Manchin, whose state of West Virginia has been a traditional coal mining hub, may see that provision end up on the cutting room floor.

Manchin's vote is critical in the Senate with the chamber split 50-50 between Democrats and Republicans.

Biden is slated to depart for Europe on Thursday where he will attend a major UN climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland from Nov. 1 - 2. He is hoping to have the climate legislation in hand when he arrives but it is unclear if Congress can accomplish negotiations in time.