How Important are Environmental Issues to Voters?

The result of a new survey claims that when people go to the polls to cast their ballots, only 10 percent of them consider the environment a top issue when deciding how to vote. So what is your top priority when voting?

Aaron Wilkerson, an informed voter, says, "Abortion, gay rights. I look at the environment, but I don't get into that, but those are the three biggest things I look at."

And that's what the survey says. People do have the environment on their minds, but it's just not high on their priority list. Results also show that many people don't believe the environment is as bad as it used to be.

People also seem to believe that higher environmental standards would mean higher taxes. Environmental experts find the numbers a bit shocking, but admit the apathy is not.

Aaron Strickland of Keep Lowndes/Valdosta Beautiful says, "It's kind of alarming that more people don't consider the environment or think about it whenever they do vote, because the folks that they do elect, they do have a large say-so; they are the environmental police."

Experts remind us of the importance of knowing who you're voting for, and what they stand for.

Strickland adds, "A lot of folks don't care, so it's our job to educate them and let them know that life is going to go on, earth is going to go on."

So before you go to the polls again, make sure you do some research. Duke University conducted this survey as part of an environmental summit.

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