The theme I was trying to convey was that the polling indicates between 2009 and 2012, Americans attitude towards global warming is that it is not some fuzzy far off threat but real and much closer to home.
Basically, the prevailing research indicates that while 67% of Americans believe that global warming is a growing problem, 98% of politicians avoid the issue.
"Global warming skepticism is still alive and well, thanks to an effective campaign of public disinformation — one heavily financed by oil, gas, electric utility and coal interests, and employing tactics pioneered by the tobacco industry."
"Climate scientists have been warning for more than two decades that global warming is accelerating as a result of human activity, primarily from burning of fossil fuels; and contributing to extreme weather patterns, including longer droughts, more violent storms, rising sea levels and bigger coastal surges. Sandy and the drought that gripped the southern and western United States this summer should be exhibits “A” and “B” to that prediction."