NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release October 15, 2008
CONTACT: Eric Orff 603-736-4663
Poll: America’s Sportsmen Want Clean Energy investments that Stimulate Economy, Protect Wildlife
New Hampshire Hunters, Fishers Contribute Millions to State’s Economy
(Epsom) – A majority of American sportsmen believe that additional development of renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and biofuels will do more to stimulate the United States economy than additional development of on-shore and off-shore oil and gas sources, according to a recent poll by American Viewpoint, and commissioned by the National Wildlife Federation Action Fund.
Seven in 10 sportsmen voters believe the country is on the wrong track when it comes to meeting our current and future energy needs, including 72 percent of those undecided in the presidential contest.
Eighty-five percent agree that “We can improve the environment and strengthen the economy by investing in renewable energy technologies that create jobs while reducing global warming.” More than three-quarters of sportsmen believe the United States needs to set a goal of achieving 100 percent of its electricity from clean renewable sources of power within 10 years.
“If the one in five voters who hunts or fishes had their way,” said Eric Orff, “politicians would be talking about setting goals for alternative energy that are at least this ambitious. But none are. Sportsmen are growing increasingly frustrated with being ignored on this issue.”
In addition, 91 percent of sportsmen voters believe Congress deserves a great deal or some of the blame for the country’s high energy costs. The national poll, conducted in July, highlights the importance sportsmen place on addressing the nation’s energy problems.
The sportsmen polled tend to be swing voters who consider conservation to be as important as, if not more important than, gun rights. Despite the strong presence of hunters in the poll (67 percent either hunt or hunt and fish), 47 percent of these respondents believe that “Gun rights are important, but conservation is just as important.”
In New Hampshire, hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation contribute millions to the state’s economy. In 2006, 291,000 sportsmen spent nearly $250 million in New Hampshire, according to figures compiled by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. More than 258,000 state residents fished or hunted in New Hampshire in 2006.
Furthermore, a report released in September on green jobs found that, in addition to creating two million jobs nationwide over two years, a $100 billion initial investment in our clean energy future would create nearly four times more jobs than spending the same amount of money within the oil industry.
Investments in clean energy will not only save great places to hunt and fish in New Hampshire, they will create jobs and bolster the local economy. According to the report, New Hampshire’s share of the national green economic recovery program would be $432 million. From that, New Hampshire would see a net of 9,245 new jobs created through investments in clean, renewable energy.
—
National Wildlife Federation’s mission is to inspire Americans to protect wildlife for our children's future.
< top >
