It's the Environment, Stupid

California’s natural resources are on the minds of residents this election year, with an overwhelming majority seeing environmental problems as a threat to their health and well-being, according to a new survey just released by the Public Policy Institute of California and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation. The Wall Street Journal takes the optimistic approach, reporting that residents in California -- by a 58% to 37% margin -- support local initiatives that would slow development in their community, "even if this meant having less economic growth."The San Francisco Chronicle takes a less optimistic approach, noting that while the public will make certain tradeoffs to deal with the growth-related issues driving their environmental anxiety, they would prefer to see someone else foot the bill. ("Environment a Big Concern For Californians, Poll ShowsAir pollution, development called top threats")The San Jose Mercury News took a decidedly negative persepctive, noting that "People are horrified about the 'Los Angelization' of the Bay Area," and that 3/4 of Bay Area residents think traffic is a big problem, compared with less than half of Angelenos.("Poll shows Bay Area pessimism")The study was authored by Dr. Mark Baldassare of, author of California in the New Millennium: The Changing Social and Political Landscape (University of California Press, 2000).