SandBoxBlogs: Intellectual Conservative "The Decline of Greenism"

Bruce Walker:
"An April 9^th Gallup Poll shows that since 2006 radical environmentalism has been losing influence  in America. Gallup results are even  more dramatic when viewed over the last couple of decades: worry about water pollution has dropped from 72% of Americans in 1989 to 46% in March 2011; worry about air pollution since 1989 has dropped from 63% to 36% in 2011. When Gallup asks Americans to prioritize environmental concerns or economic concerns, the same pattern emerges. In the latest poll on the subject, 54% favor economic growth and 36% favor the environment. 

 

Pew Research polls on global warming show a similar loss of trust in radical environmentalism. In 2006, the percentage of Americans who believe that there is “solid evidence” of global warming was 77% in 2006, but in 2011 only 63% believed that. Pew also shows that the percentage of Americans who do not believe in global warming or feel that there is not enough evidence rose in those five years from 33% to 43%. Pew shows that even among Americans who believe in global warming, fewer and fewer Americans attribute that rise in temperature to man. In 2006 47% of Americans believed that we were experiencing manmade global warming, but by 2006 only 38% of Americans believed in manmade global warming, a distinct minority of America. 

 

Rasmussen last August published a poll which indicates a serious credibility gap that the scientific establishment has with America: 69% of Americans believe scientists have falsified global warming research. Gallup two years ago published a 12 year trend which showed that the percentage of Americans who believe that the seriousness of global warming has been exaggerated has grown steadily to an all time high of 48% in 2010

 

What has happened to environmentalism?...."  (Read more?  Click title)

 

"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

 

SandBox Comments: Glenwood Springs Post Independent/John Colson "Driving job creation, energy savings"

The steady rising in caliber work of John Colson on his environmental reporting is noted.

One can pick up on, if they find the patience to give him a chance today; Colson trying to tune in to the more 'conservative' viewpoint.

SandBox Nanny once again tosses Colson to the 'kids'.  Where he will sink or swim.

With that said, she does have her own personal viewpoint on the topic of selling the value of 'clean energy jobs' and 'clean energy spending' to voters.

It's not that conservatives don't see the value.  They do see the need and they also see the long-term benefits.  The problem is the government's administration.  By the time these grants and loans are handed out, the only real monetary benefit there is goes to the business receiving that handout.  Conservatives believe in free market, entrepreneurial oriented 'green jobs'.

Take the government 'grants' and 'loans' out of the equation and the concept works.

A secondary problem is credibility.  Solyndra is going to have many consequences where public trust is concerned. CLEER, now becoming 'Garfield Clean Energy' is not free from alleged scandal.  Pretty tough to trust an organization when the public doesn't trust a few of the Trustees.  It would behoove Garfield Clean Energy to make sure their public relations are improved before they put out too much PR singing the praises of the programs they are pitching.

Nice work from John Colson today.  Over on The Glenwood Springs Post Independent.

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"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."