News

Effects of global warming cited
poll questioned hunters, anglers

 

BY JOHN MEYERS
Duluth News Tribune

May. 19, 2006

 

Many Minnesota hunters and anglers say they already see the effects of a warming atmosphere, and most believe climate change will hurt the state's fish and wildlife populations.

 

That's the finding of a poll taken by the Minnesota Conservation Federation and the National Wildlife Federation of 302 hunters and anglers across the state.

 

Of those polled, 76 percent said they were very or somewhat concerned that many fish and wildlife populations will decrease in the next 10 years, and most agreed that global warming is a factor.

 

The poll, released Thursday, crossed political lines. Though most hunters and anglers are conservatives or moderates, 81 percent favor strong and quick government action to begin to curb the problem — such as the McCain-Lieberman legislation in Congress.

 

The effects of global warming are "no longer a remote, scientific debate," said Ben McNitt, communications director for the National Wildlife Federation, speaking from Washington, D.C. on Thursday. "Things are getting to a tipping point."

McNitt said the survey shows that hunters and anglers "are saying we have a moral responsibility to confront global warming. These are the people closest to nature, and they are seeing the effects first."

 

The groups also say the poll dispels the notions that Minnesotans are split on the issue of global warming or that traditionally conservative hunters and anglers don't think it's a problem.

 

"This tells us that Minnesota sportsmen don't think this is a partisan, Democrat-liberal issue. This is a concern that crosses party lines and they want action," said Marc Smith, a regional representative with the National Wildlife Federation.

Some 65 percent of those polled said they have witnessed warmer and shorter winters, with 46 percent saying there's less snow now and 39 percent saying they see spring coming earlier.

 

The vast majority, 63 percent, said they believe global warming is causing the earlier springs, lighter snows and warmer winters they are seeing.

 

Hunters and anglers appear split on whether climate change is already affecting wildlife populations, with 38 percent saying yes and 38 percent saying no. But 67 percent strongly or moderately believe warming is a serious threat to fish and wildlife.

The poll results reflect a host of global and regional scientific data that show Northland lakes losing their ice weeks earlier now than just 60 years ago. Flowers are blooming earlier and birds are returning north much earlier in spring as well.

Minnesota's average temperature has increased more than 1.6 degrees since accurate records were kept in the 1800s. Between 1961 and 2000, Duluth's 30-year average temperature for January increased from 16.2 to 17.9 degrees, while February's rose 2.7 degrees, from 21.7 to 24.4 degrees.

 

The Wildlife Society, the professional group that represents 9,000 wildlife biologists and researchers, says global warming will affect large numbers of wildlife and their habitats, especially migrating birds.

 

Preliminary data show that Minnesota moose may be succumbing to warmer weather, the Department of Natural Resources reports. Biologists have been unable to find the exact cause of why so many moose are dying from emaciation, but they say an increase in warm days — when moose pant, lose energy and don't eat — may be causing them to lose calories they need for winter fat.

 

While politicians continue to debate the issue, little scientific debate remains that temperatures are increasing across the globe. Many scientists studying the issue agree that man-made gases, such as carbon dioxide from burning coal and oil, are contributing to the warming climate.

 

Minnesota's outdoor enthusiasts agree. Among those polled, 72 percent said global warming is currently occurring and 56 percent agreed that burning fossil fuels is to blame. Only 18 percent either moderately or strongly agreed the earth isn't warming and only 22 percent said fossil fuels should not be blamed.

 

The largest number, 43 percent, said the quality of fish and wildlife habitat has gotten worse in the past few years. Only 15 percent said it had improved.

 

The poll also shows strong support for state and federal legislation that would curb greenhouse gases, including more than 80 percent support for government incentives for companies to reduce greenhouse emissions.

 

The poll results may seem somewhat surprising, considering that 37 percent of the respondents described themselves as conservative and 30 percent as moderate. Only 17 percent said they were liberals. Some 46 percent said they voted for George Bush in 2004 and 38 percent for John Kerry, though Bush has vowed not to impose greenhouse gas emission cuts on American industries, saying the moves would hurt the economy.

 

The poll was conducted by Responsive Management via telephone in March and April. For more information, go to www.targetglobalwarming.org/minnesota.

Duluth News Tribune reporters Janna Goerdt and Brandon Stahl contributed to this report.

Reducing Greenhouse Gases

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency suggests these steps to reduce greenhouse gases that most scientists believe are contributing to global warming.

All of the steps seek to reduce gases like carbon dioxide produced when fossil fuels are burned — especially coal-fired power plants and motor vehicles.

On the road

1. Purchase a fuel-efficient car or alternative fuel vehicle. Greenhouse gas reductions correspond with increased mileage.

2. Do all your errands in one trip rather than several.

3. Keep your car tuned and your tires fully inflated.

4. Consider alternative means of transportation, such as the bus, your bike or walking.

5. Telecommute to work.

In your home

1. Turn off lights, TVs and other electronic devices when not in use.

2. Purchase energy efficient appliances that display the Energy Star label.

3. Replace incandescent lights with energy efficient fluorescent bulbs or light fixtures.

In your yard

1. Plant deciduous trees to shade your house. Trees can also remove 50 pounds of carbon from the air each year.

2. Use a push mower.