With Spike in Concern Over Drought, Wildfires and Climate Change, Westerners Are Eager for Action to

[Mountain Mule]

COLORADO SPRINGS—Colorado College’s 12th annual State of the Rockies Project Conservation in the West Poll released today showed a spike in concern over issues like drought, inadequate water supplies, wildfires, the loss of wildlife habitats and natural spaces, and climate change among voters in the Mountain West. Those concerns align with continued strong support for pro-conservation policies.

The poll, which surveyed the views of voters in eight Mountain West states (Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming), found 69 percent of voters are concerned about the future of nature, meaning land, water, air, and wildlife. That level of concern was a notable jump from 61 percent in last year’s poll.

Against that backdrop, 86 percent of Western voters now say issues involving clean water, clean air, wildlife and public lands are important in their decision of whether to support an elected official, up from 80 percent in 2020 and 75 percent in 2016.

“We are seeing a perfect storm of threats that are driving higher levels of concern than ever before for the state of our lands and water in the Mountain West,” said Katrina Miller-Stevens, Director of the State of the Rockies Project and an associate professor at Colorado College. “Not surprisingly, most voters are aligning behind policies that would help mitigate threats by conserving and protecting more outdoor spaces.”

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Climate change seen as a threat with voters expressing concern over impacts

Most voters in the Mountain West, 62 percent, believe climate change is happening and requires action. Among them, 44 percent agree climate change is established as a serious problem and immediate action is necessary. Another 18 percent say there is enough evidence of climate change that some action should be taken. 52 percent of voters view climate change as a very serious or extremely serious problem, up from 46 percent in 2020 and 27 percent in 2011.

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This shift in attitude among Western voters is hardly surprising. Just in the past year of my own home state of Colorado, we have continued to suffer from a megadrought that has lasted 22 years and still counting. The Marshall fire that swept through suburban areas between Denver and Boulder on Dec. 30 was the most destructive wildfire in Colorado's history, destroying almost 1,000 homes and forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents. And climate change combined with an overflow of visitors continues to degrade public lands in both our National Parks and National Forests. The story is much the same in the rest of the Mountain West.

Scientists inform us that in the coming decades, here in Colorado and the rest of the Mountain West we will lose many of our most iconic species from the piñon pine to the pika. The loss of wild nature is a profound and disheartening affront to the spirit of people everywhere. There are values to be found in the unspoiled grasslands, woodlands, and forests beyond any price. For those familiar with the native cultures of New Mexico and southern Colorado, there are few things more precious than the scent of roasting pine nuts over a piñon fire on a chill autumn morning.

I think the fuel pumps at the local gas station should be retrofitted to provide a brief public announcement at the end of every sale. Like: "Your purchase today will contribute to the deaths of 10,000 monarch butterflies! The 6th Great Extinction - Mother Nature couldn't do it without your help. Thank you!"

[Kid Berwyn]

1. The Pika

Makes me sad to know that the interests of so many who care are thwarted by the very few who gain wealth by the destruction of our natural world.

There is no Planet B. Time to get busy de-salinating, re-foresting, de-polluting and re-naturalizing this little blue sphere of ours.

[Kaleva]

2. By "action", are they talking about what they themselves are doing to prepare for it?

[Mountain Mule]

3. Depends on who you talk to.

I'm will to bet that most of the respondents to that poll are urban/suburban dwellers and therefore most likely to be Democrats. Democrats from the Western states have any number of good ideas in regard to keeping their carbon foot prints down, but the worshipers of the mad king Trump stay up nights plotting how to prevent anything useful from happening. It's discouraging to say the least.

[Kaleva]

4. Keeping one's carbon footprint down does nothing to prepare one

For what climate change will bring. I'm wondering what actions these people are taking to prepare themselves for continuous drought, danger from fires and other extremes? Are they planning on moving to other areas where the effects of global climate are predicated to be more survivable?