Public Concern about Climate Change Visitors to national
wildlife refuges are concerned about the impact of climate
change on America’s fish, wildlife and plants ─ as well as the
habitat that supports them, a new survey just released by the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service shows. The survey also shows
strong support for efforts to help native species adapt to
changing climate conditions, such as those now being implemented
by the Service and its partners. Seventy-one percent of the more
than 10,000 visitors to national wildlife refuges who took part
in the survey ─ conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey in 2010
and 2011 ─ believe that climate change poses a serious threat to
wildlife and wildlife habitat. About 74 percent of the same
respondents agree that addressing climate change effects on
wildlife and wildlife habitats will benefit future generations.
“The results of this survey underscore the Service’s
responsibility ─ entrusted to us by the American people ─ to
ensure that we use the best science to unde