As the economic crisis continues, some other issues may be put on the back burner as the government focuses on getting the economy back on its feet. One such issue could be environmental conservation, but 46% of Americans say that the issue of environmental conservation is something that is more important to them personally than it was a few years ago while 47% say it is no more or less important. Just 7% of Americans say it is less important to them. Furthermore, most people do not believe the government needs to choose between the economy and the environment and that the government should be making more of an effort to be environmentally conscious.

These are some of the results of The Harris Poll®, conducted among 2,848 adults in the United States who were surveyed online by Harris Interactive® between January 12 and 19, 2009.

Other findings from this survey include:

- Along with it being more important, there is also a sense that Americans are doing more regarding the environment as 45% say they are making more effort to be environmentally conscious than they were a year ago and half (51%) of Americans say they are making the same amount of effort;

- There are, not surprisingly, partisan differences in attitudes towards the environment. Three in five Democrats (59%) say environmental conservation is more important to them and 52% of Democrats are making more of an effort to be environmentally conscious. While 58% of Republicans say environmental conservation is no more or less important to them, just 29% say it is more important; and,

- When it comes to governments being more environmentally conscious, just over half of Americans say governments are making the same amount of effort as they were a year ago while one-third (35%) say they are making more of an effort. But, two-thirds of Americans (66%) believe governments should be making more of an effort than they were a year ago.

Economic Conditions versus the Environment

One theory about environmental conservation has been that when the economy is not good, people do not care as much about environmental issues. When asked which is closer to their opinion, just over half of Americans (53%) say that with the economy weakening, governments should focus on economic growth and the environmental issues should become a secondary priority. Slightly over one-third of Americans (37%), however, believe that environmental initiatives should remain as high a priority as the economy. Probably reflecting the economic conditions of their regions of the country, those in the Midwest (57%) and West (58%) are more likely to believe governments should focus on economic growth.

But, when asked to choose between the idea that environmental goals and economic goals are indeed in conflict and one must choose between them or the idea that these goals are often aligned and one does not have to choose, it seems there may not be a choice needed. Half of Americans (51%) believe economic and environmental goals are often aligned while 31% believe one must choose between these two goals. Reflecting the historic confusion on this issue, almost one in five Americans (18%) are not at all sure.

So what?

The economy is the country’s dominant issue and, listening to economists, it will not rebound any time soon. Prolonged and deep recession is the current phrase and even President Obama has said the American people are in for a long haul before things get better. As this continues, should environmental initiatives go by the wayside? The answer for the public is "no". A majority of Americans believe that there is no conflict between addressing both our environmental and our economic goals.