As the hurricane season begins, 33% of American adults believe the U.S. is better prepared this year than last year. A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 41% say preparedness is about the same while only 15% think the nation is less prepared.

Last year, 41% thought we were better prepared than the year before. That, however, was following a year in which Hurricane Katrina raised serious doubts about preparedness.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has predicted an above-average level of activity this year on both the Pacific and Atlantic Coasts. However, the American people have a different expectation--42% expect there more hurricanes while 37% anticipate about the same number. Last year, the NOAA experts had predicted a busier than normal hurricane season but the actual results were just the opposite.

The first tropical storm of the 2007 hurricane season has already formed far off Mexico’s west coast. According to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida, Tropical Storm Alvin, whose winds have reached speeds of 39 miles per hour, is expected to head west away from land over the next week.

Most (54%) Americans believe global warming creates climate changes that lead to more extreme weather events. Twenty-seven percent (27%) disagree. These figures are down slightly from last year. Former Vice-President Al Gore has generated books, movies, and publicity about the potential impact of global warming, but few people consider him an expert on the topic. Forty-six percent (46%) of Americans believe global warming is caused primarily by human activity while 35% disagree.

Just 32% of Americans believe that President Bush has done a good or an excellent job on environmental issues.

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