Concern for environment 'reaches 20-year low in US'

American concern for the environment is at its lowest level in two decades, according to a poll conducted by Gallup.

The research found that 28 per cent of respondents worried "a great deal" about global warming, falling from 33 per cent in 2009, while there was a seven per cent drop in the number of people concerned about air pollution in the United States.

Speaking to USA Today, Gallup's Frank Newport attributed the fall in environmental worries to economic troubles and political arguments over climate change science. "The whole environmental realm has become politicised," he said.

Another Gallup poll discovered that 46 per cent of Americans perceived the country's environment as excellent or good, up from 39 per cent last year, with 53 per cent of survey participants rating it as fair or poor.

There was also an increase in the number of people who felt US environmental quality was improving (41 per cent).

Written by Lauren Steadman