In the 2nd District, the answer was: global warming or carbon emissions, chosen by 42 percent; air pollution or clean air came in second at 39 percent; and water pollution or clean water was third, with 25 percent naming it as the top environmental issue.

The same concern about global warming extends throughout the six districts, he said. "A plurality in every district say it's global warming." Since 1970, environmental concern was focused on air and water pollution, but that has shifted, he said.

A poll conducted by Dan Jones and Associates for the Deseret Morning News and KSL TV found that statewide, 69 percent of Utahns believe in global warming. Of these, 84 percent thought humans were causing the condition.

Asked about the NRDC poll, Matheson spokeswoman Alyson Heyrend said the representative was on a flight and not immediately available to comment. He "believes that climate change is a challenge that Congress must work to meet," she said.

Heyrend added, "He believes we need to employ a comprehensive, practical approach that takes into account the complicated overlay of issues confronting us."

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E-mail: bau@desnews.com