Poll: Fewer Americans Identify as Environmentalists

42% of Americans identify themselves as environmentalists, according to a recent Gallup survey, down from 47% in 2000 (the last year Gallup asked this question) and 63% in 1995. The all-time high was in 1991, when 78% of Americans described themselves that way. Gallup suggests the decline is related to the environment being politicized as an issue, especially regarding climate change and how to address it. “In 1991, the same high percentage of Republicans and Democrats — 78% — considered themselves environmentalists. Today, 27% of Republicans think of themselves that way, compared with 56% of Democrats.”