Arnold Schwarzenegger recently proclaimed: “The global warming debate is over.”

Is it true?

Not quite. As recently as February of this year, a National Journal survey of members of the US Congress found that only 13 percent of Republican senators and representatives said they believed it had been “proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the earth is warming because of man-made problems” compared to 95 percent of Congressional Democrats.

But that was February. The partisan ice is melting fast. And in spite of a lingering partisan divide reflected among voters and leaders alike, new polling shows people  transcending whatever skepticism remains, with majorities of Americans of all political stripes uniting behind smart climate solutions and calling for action, innovation, and leadership. The message to policy makers? "Roll up your sleeves and get ‘er done.”

The most obvious sign that climate change has hit the mainstream consciousness is a surge of media attention. Al Gore has been in the limelight for months, and California’s Arnold Schwarzenegger and British Columbia’s Gordon Campbell have received rock-star acclaim for landmark climate legislation. Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels has landed on the climate change celebrity circuit for his leadership at the municipal level.

Even John Kerry and Newt Gingrich agree to agree about the urgency of the problem, with Gingrich stating, "The evidence is sufficient that we should move towards the most effective possible steps to reduce carbon-loading of the atmosphere."

What’s more, recent polling indicates that Americans are ready for action. An April ABC/Washington Post survey found that seven in 10 Americans want more federal action on global warming. A New York Times/CBS News poll released on April 26 found 90 percent of Democrats, 80 percent of independents, and 60 percent of Republicans agreed immediate action is required.

Regardless of party affiliation, in fact, polling shows that overwhelming majorities see eye to eye when it comes to an array of smart solutions, including increasing spending to research alternative fuel sources for cars and solar and wind power; setting higher pollution standards for business and industry (84 percent); beefing up enforcement of existing regulations (82 percent); and demanding higher auto emissions standards (79 percent). Notably, majorities favor imposing mandatory controls on carbon dioxide emissions and other greenhouse gases (79 percent).

Perhaps most significant is that Americans are shifting their attitudes about the economics of fighting climate change. April polling found that 79 percent of voters believe that new alternative energy production will be a boon to America’s economy, creating jobs and making the United States more independent. And they believe the US should lead the world in clean, alternative energy, not trail behind.

This is huge. True to a deep-seated, can-do spirit that has defined North Americans’ identity and history, the message—as BC’s Gordon Campbell put it recently—is “stop procrastinating.” The fact is, fighting climate has become an “apple-pie issue.” And, increasingly, savvy leaders see that a willingness to roll up their sleeves and get to work can go a long way with voters. (And they’re talking that way too, check out these quotes.)

Just look at recent legislative sessions. In Sacramento, lawmakers out for a piece of that “apple pie” have introduced more than 60 climate bills this session. And Cascadians need only look to California and British Columbia to see what strides can be made when bold leadership rides the wave of popular momentum. (Polling shows global warming is the top issue Canadians are concerned about and majorities of Canadians favor dramatic measures to reduce emissions. In California, 70 percent of voters across the political spectrum are calling for immediate action.)

Oregon and Washington are following suit with legislation of their own. In fact, Cascadian governments, including BC and five US states, are joining forces as the Western Regional Climate Change Initiative to fight the effects of global warming that threaten the region's shared climate and coasts. And, nationally in the US, Congress has made a down payment on climate action by redirecting tax breaks and subsidies for big oil companies to investments in clean energy and drafting a raft of legislation to curb US emissions. The groundwork has been laid for a bipartisan approach. The thickest partisan ice no longer stands in the way.

Listen to the people: Nearly 9 in 10 Americans say global warming will be a serious problem if nothing is done to curb it and nearly two-thirds believe that we can do something about it. When leaders feel this kind of heat from constituents, partisan differences melt away. So, keep your eyes peeled for a lot more evidence of a big spring thaw – politically speaking, that is.

Read Sightline's series Word on the Street:
The latest polling data and political messaging from the US, Canada, and beyond – and why it matters to the Northwest.

Read Sightline's series on Climate Policy with Muscle:
The latest on which climate solutions have the most promise for the Northwest (from cap and trade to transportation policy) and which regions are leading the charge.