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John Daley ReportingGlobal warming is an urgent threat. That's the word from leading scientific researchers attending a summit here in Utah. And an exclusive poll for KSL-TV and the Deseret Morning News finds Utahns too think the problem is real.
Our poll, conducted by Dan Jones and Associates, shows most Utahns do think the problem is real, that they are observing signs of it here in the Beehive State, and that it is, at least in part, caused by humankind by the burning of fossil fuels.
In downtown Salt Lake with temperatures hitting triple digits it wasn't too hard to find people ready to consider the topic of global warming.
"I know it's really hot. I don't know the details on global warming and what not. I just know it's really hot."
Mayors from around the country are gathering this week at the Sundance Summit to brainstorm about what they can do locally to tackle the issue. That concern is echoed in a KSL-TV/Deseret Morning News poll of 624 Utahns by Dan Jones.
We asked, do you think temperatures on the earth have been rising in recent years? 73% say yes. 19% say no.
We asked the same question about Utah and found 61% believe Utah's temperatures have been rising in recent years. 27% say no, and 20 percent don't know.
We also asked Utahns about the drought, if it might be connected to climate change. 57% say yes they believe the drought is connected to climate change, 33% say no.
We also asked: What do you think is the primary cause of global warming? 19% say natural fluctuations in earth's climate. 50% say it's human caused burning of fossil fuels, mostly from our cars and power plants. 19% say it's a combination of the two.
Opinion is by no means universal on the controversial topic. Consider this email to KSL-TV from a viewer who writes, "Global warming...is not proven...the sun is more of a cause for climate change, than is man."
Still, those worried about the issue say now is the time for action. Today at the Sundance Summit the 45 mayors gathered there agreed to try to limit greenhouse emissions in their governments by implementing a series of changes like switching to fuel-efficient fleets.
