The environment by the numbers

GALLUP NEWS SERVICE

PRINCETON, NJ -- Gallup's annual Environment poll finds Americans' stated concern about the environment is not matched by their willingness to make compromises on behalf of the environment.

Sixty percent of Americans think environmental quality today is "only fair" or "poor," and 67% believe it is worsening, yet only 40% worry "a great deal" about the environment. Just half of Americans say environmental protection should take precedence when it conflicts with either economic growth or development of U.S. energy supplies.

According to the Mar. 13-16, 2006 survey, Americans today are more negative about the quality of the environment than in previous years. But they show no corresponding increase in their willingness to make the environment a priority over economic or energy concerns.

Environmental poll results.