Poll: We'll Do More To Combat Global Warming

Good news from the BBC, which released the results of a poll today showing people around the world are willing to make personal sacrifices -- including paying more -- to combat global warming.

Four out of five people say they are prepared to change their lifestyle, even in the US and China, the world's two biggest emitters of carbon dioxide.

Three quarters would back energy taxes if the cash was used to find new sources of energy, or boost efficiency.

Support for higher energy prices had surprising majorities in many countries, and nearly all those polled in each of the 21 countries surveyed said that they would pay higher energy costs if they knew the money was going toward research and development of alternative and renewable sources of energy.

(If you're one of the 83% who said individuals would probably have to make lifestyle changes, welcome. Check out The Daily Green's daily feature, One Easy Thing, which offers a daily tip for living a little lighter on the earth.)

Among presidential candidates, only two Democrats have called for a carbon tax that would increase the price of fuel, though others have suggested changes to energy markets and new fees on energy companies, that could well trickle down to the consumer. Those proposals are all aimed at boosting research and development of alternative and renewable energy sources. For more on the candidates' views, see Green Your Vote 2008.