Columbia: Global Warming
First Survey of New Yorkers on Climate Change Finds Majority Worried About Impacts - 03/10/08
A new survey of New Yorkers finds that a majority of respondents are convinced global warming is happening now and more should be done by key leaders to help New York City deal with climate change.
The survey is the first-ever study of New Yorkers' opinions about global warming and was designed and funded by researchers at Columbia and Yale Universities and led by the Center for Research on Environmental Decisions (CRED) at Columbia.
"Recent vivid and memorable media coverage of climate change impacts around the world and domestically have brought global warming onto the radar screen of the residents of New York, elevating it to a risk worth worrying about," said Elke Weber, co-director of CRED, professor of Psychology and the Jerome A. Chazen Professor of International Business at Columbia.
According to recent studies, global warming is projected to have significant impacts on the city. Regional summer temperatures are projected to increase 3.82-4.95°F (2.12-2.75°C) by the 2050s, and sea level in the region may rise about 12 inches by the 2020s and nearly 24 inches by the 2050s. Summer heat-related mortality could increase 55 percent by the 2020s and more than double by the 2050s.
"The results are noteworthy because they show New Yorkers support an aggressive climate policy agenda and are willing to pay to see it implemented," said Steve Hammer, director of the Urban Energy Program at Columbia's Center for Energy, Marine Transportation and Public Policy.
The survey found that 66 percent of New Yorkers support a $2.50 surcharge on the average household's monthly electric bill for a special fund to help make buildings more energy efficient and to support public education on energy use. About 76 percent support a city subsidy to encourage building owners to replace old furnaces, water heaters, air conditioners, light bulbs and insulation, even if the subsidy costs the average household $5 a month more in higher taxes.
