Americans say global warming is a problem

In a CBS News/New York Times poll, 52 percent said that global warming should be a high priority for government leaders. Eight percent said the problem was not serious.

The New York Times said 90 percent of Democrats, 80 percent of independents and 60 percent of Republicans asked said immediate action was required to stop global warming.

Fifty-one percent of those polled, however, said they could vote for a candidate who did not share their environmental views.

CBS News said requiring automakers to build more energy-efficient automobiles was favored by 92 percent, while 58 percent opposed raising gasoline taxes.

The poll found that most people want the government to develop new energy sources, but 57 percent oppose opening up Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling.

The Times said 1,052 adults were polled by telephone from last Friday through Tuesday. The margin of error is 3 percentage points.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International