The environment has increasingly become an important issue for Latino voters. In fact, it's apparently more important than passing comprehensive immigration reform, according to a new poll.

Earthjustice and Green Latinos commissioned a poll conducted by Latino Decisions, a polling firm that focuses on Hispanics in America, which found that Latinos are profoundly concerned about the environment and its potential impact on their families.

Beyond an obvious interest in prioritizing the economy, jobs and economic recovery (91 percent indicated it was extremely important or very important), the bilingual poll revealed that Latinos placed a high priority on enforcing and strengthening the Clean Water Act to protect waterways and clean drinking water (90 percent). Also 85 percent support the reduction of smog and air pollution; 85 percent support increasing the conservation of water; and 82 percent said they were worried about global warming and climate change. Additionally, 82 percent of respondents expressed a willingness to learn more about how they and their families can do more to protect the environment.

Comparably, just 80 percent of respondents indicated that passing comprehensive immigration reform was extremely or very important. Five percent said that it's not that important or not important at all.

"A lot of Latino households in the United States are in locations that are adversely affected by particulate pollution, by poor water quality," Gary Segura, co-founder of Latino Decisions, told NPR. "So quality of life, direct exposure to environmental hazards is quite common among the Latino population; we shouldn't be surprised they're concerned about it."

While the national sample was just 1,200, the thoughts on climate change echo those communicated in a recent Gallup survey and The New York Times research. Both identified Hispanics as distinctly concerned about global warming, other environmental issues, and the need for environmental protections.

There are many other interesting takeaways from the poll, including just 68 percent of respondents stating that there should be a minimum wage increase, with 10 percent saying that it's not that important or not important at all. Approximately 59 percent believe if the country enacted stronger environmental laws that it would improve economic growth and create new jobs. Also, most respondents (77 percent) are willing to pay an additional $5 each month for clean energy, and 75 percent said they'd be willing to pay an additional $10 each month. Lastly, 82 percent of respondents indicated that the U.S. should work hard to successfully negotiate an international treaty that will reduce carbon pollution and climate change around the world.

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