It has been reported that the United States government, however, wants to eliminate several strongly worded clauses from the draft agreement, including those stating that climate change will seriously damage our natural environment and global economy.
"The United States government continues to be defiant about the effects of global warming," explained Donald B. Louria, MD, the survey's lead investigator and chair emeritus of the Department of Preventive Medicine at UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School. "Our leaders' actions regarding the G8 Summit policy is another example of their refusal to face up to problems that we know exist," Louria added.
American citizens also appear to have a bleak view about other global problems. More than three-fourths (76 percent) of Americans who participated in the nationally representative survey believe there will be a biological weapons attack, and 65 percent think there will be a nuclear weapons attack within the next 20 years. A significant percentage believe these attacks will be on American soil.
Despite their concern about global warming and the likelihood of nuclear or biologic warfare attacks on civilians, the overwhelming majority (78 percent) continues to feel optimistic about their own futures. This personal optimism was particularly marked among respondents 18 to 44 years of age (83 percent).
The optimism about their own futures did not extend to their beliefs about the future of the United States. Only 44 percent were optimistic about the future of America. In every age group studied (18 to 24, 25 to 44, 45 to 64, over 65), compared to their views about their own futures, there was a huge drop in optimism and a concomitant rise in pessimism.
Furthermore, when asked about changes in the perception about the future of the United States over the last five years, a greater percentage in every age group studied reported more pessimism than reported more optimism. Overall, only 46 percent of those surveyed are optimistic about the future of the entire world, and only 37 percent believe the major problems facing the world can be solved or minimized.
Said co-investigator Dr. Marian Passannante, "There is an amazing disconnect. They seem to be saying that terrible things are going to happen, but not to them." "If personal optimism about the future is eroded by an external event, we could be facing a societal catastrophe," added Louria, who is a nationally recognized expert on future societal issues.
"We could see a marked increase in anxiety and depression, as well as a host of undesirable behavioral consequences, including an excessive focus on immediate personal pleasure, increased alcohol and mind-altering drug use, risky sexual behavior, and even reckless driving practices," said Louria.
"The lack of optimism about the future of the United States is very worrisome," added co-investigator Dr. Cheryl Kennedy. "This overwhelming majority of people who believe we cannot solve the major problems facing our global society can have a profound impact on the future of this country," she added.
The best way to avoid societal disaster, according to Louria, is for our national leaders, especially the Congress and Administration, to demonstrate convincingly that "they are tending to the major problems facing the society in an energetic and effective fashion. If that is not done, we are in for a lot of trouble," Dr. Louria said.
