4.16 The environment and the economy. Here are two opinion poll questions asked in December 2009 about protecting the environment versus protecting the economy.

Often there are trade-offs or sacrifices people must make in deciding what is important to them. Generally speaking, when a trade-off has to be made, which is more important to you: stimulating the economy or protecting the environment?

Which worries you more: that the U.S. will NOT take the actions necessary to prevent the catastrophic effects of global warming because of fears those actions would harm the economy or that the U.S. WILL take actions to protect against global warming and those actions will cripple the U.S. economy?

In response to the first question, 61% said stimulating the economy was more important. But only 46% of those asked the second question said they were afraid that the United States will take actions to protect against global warming and that those actions will cripple the U.S. economy. Why do you think the second wording discouraged more people from expressing more concern about the economy than about the environment?