American Climate Perspectives: 2017 Annual Summary. Belief and Concern: Concern for Our Climate Climbs 3

Transcription

1 American Climate Perspectives: 17 Annual Summary Belief and Concern: Concern for Our Climate Climbs 3

2 Belief and Concern: Concern for our climate climbs American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 2

3 Majority of Americans think the rise in global tempertatures is due to human activities, but not all agree it is the sole cause: % of Americans that believe... 8% 7% 6% % % 3% % % Climate change is caused entirely by human activity (Saint Leo University) Global warming is caused mostly by human activities (Yale) Global warming is caused by human activities (Gallup) Climate change is happening mainly due to human activities (ecoamerica) The Earth is warming mostly because of human activity (Pew) American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 3

4 Within the past year, personal concern has soared and reached an all time high over the past 3 years: % of Americans that are personally concerned a great deal about global warming or climate change 8% 73% 7% 76% 75% 62% 66% 6% 61% Quinnnipiac University Saint Leo University Yale 49% 5% 4% 4% 41% 45% Gallup 3% % 24% 1% American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 4

5 Americans are concerned about the enviroment s quality: % of Americans that are... 7% 58% 6% 59% 63% Concerned a great deal about pollution of drinking water 6% 53% 48% 5% 4% 47% 43% 3% 35% 34% Worried a great deal about the quality of the environment 31% % 1% Gallup (4-17) American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 5

6 More Americans think the quality our environment is getting worse: % of Americans that think the quality of the environment is getting better vs. getting worse 56% 6% 5% 49% 4% 41% 5% 42% 57% 51% Getting worse 41% Getting better 37% 3% 36% % 1% Gallup (13-17) Note: Large partisan gaps exist amongst this question with 53% of Republicans saying the future of the environment is getting better, whereas only 22% of Democrats agree with this. American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 6

7 While many pit the economy against our environment, Americans agree the environment is a priority: % of Americans that priortize... 8% 71% 7% 55% 6% 5% 51% 47% 56% 4% 44% 32% 54% 56% Environment 46% 41% 42% Economic growth 35% 3% % 27% 24% 19% % Gallup ( ) American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 7

8 In context of issues our nation faces, climate remains low: What would you think is the most important problem facing the country today? August 17 (%) April 17 (%) October 16 (%) Economy in general Unemployment/jobs Dissatisfaction with government/poor leadership Healthcare Unifying the country Race relations/racism Education Environment/pollution Gallup (16-17) American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 8

9 Energy: American support for clean energy mounts American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 9

10 Americans support clean energy: % of Americans that favor expansion or more production of... 1% 88 8% % 42 4% % Wind and solar Wind Solar ecoamerica (16) and Pew (16) *Note no data exists from ecoamerica on wind, solar, and fracking separately Natural Gas Oil Fracking ecoamerica Pew American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 1

11 Americans increasingly see the priority of clean energy for America s energy supply: % of Americans that priortize... 7% 6% Wind, solar, and other alternative energy sources 3% Production of oil, coal, and natural gas 65% 63% 58% 6% 47% 5% 4% 39% 3% 34% 29% % 27% 1% Pew (11-17) American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 11

12 Americans think energy independence is of upmost importance: 32% Somewhat important 6% Very important 5% Not so important Quinnipiac University (17) 2% Not important at all American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 12

13 More Americans now oppose oil exploration on federal lands: % of Americans that favor vs. oppose oil exploration on federal lands 8% 7% % 53 5% 41 4% % % 1% 12 Gallup (12-17) Favor Oppose American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 13

14 Over half of Americans oppose fracking and are split on whether we should use coal: % of Americans who encourage vs. discourage coal and fracking Fracking 35% Encourage 53% Discourage 12% Don t know Gallup (17) Coal 56% 36% Encourage Discourage 8% Don t know Quinnipiac University (17) American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 14

15 Support for fracking continues to decline: % of Americans that support fracking 45% 4% 4% 36% 35% 35% 3% Gallup (15-17) American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 15

16 However, Americans are divided on advancing major oil pipelines: % of Americans that oppose vs. support the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines in 17 Oppose Support % 5% 4% 3% % Gallup (17), Quinnipiac University (17), Rasmussen (17), Pew (17) 1% 1% % Rasmussen 3% 4% Gallup Pew 5% 6% Quinnipiac University American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 16

17 Americans are increasingly putting the environment before energy production: % of Americans that prioritze environment vs. those that prioritize energy production 7% 52% 48% 5% 4% 3% 59% 58% 6% 5% 44% Prioritize environment 45% 41% 36% 34% 34% Prioritize energy production % 1% Gallup (1-17) American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 17

18 Solutions: Americans are quickly turning solutions that benefit our environment and economy American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 18

19 What Americans say our priority should be in addressing our energy supply: % of Americans who agree how we should be solving America s energy supply 8% 72% 7% 6% 66% % 59% 63% 47% 65% 65% Emphasize alternative energy (Gallup) Alternative sources such as wind, solar (Pew) 58% 39% 4% 3% 64% 59% 5% 71% 34% 29% 34% 31% 32% 3% 26% 21% 27% Expand production of oil, coal, and natural gas (Pew) 23% Emphasize production of oil, gas and coal (Gallup) 1% Gallup (11-17), Pew (11-14,17) *Note none of the pollings have 15 data American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 19

20 Americans increasingly favor charging large companies fees for their pollution: % of Americans that favor vs. oppose % 9% 8% ecoamerica (15-16) 7% 6% 5% 4% 3% % 1% 1% % Total Favor 3% 4% Strongly Favor 5% 6% 7% Total Oppose 8% 9% 1% Strongly Oppose American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary

21 Americans support taxing carbon, especially when the tax money goes towards developing more clean energy: If there were a fee or tax on climate change pollution, how should the U.S. use the money? 8% 66 7% 62 6% 5% % 3% 24 % 11 1% University of Michigan ecoamerica Not specified Reduce federal debt ecoamerica (17), University of Michigan (17) *Note no data exists for "Not specified" from ecoamerica Income tax rebate Fund research and development of renewables American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 21

22 Support especially grows amongst Republicans when researchers specified where the tax money would go: Democrats 1% 1% 8% Independents 66 1% % % 6% 4% 4% 4% Not specified Revenue to fund research and development of renewables % 45 8% 6% % Republicans 4 26 Not specified Revenue to fund research and development of renewables % Support Oppose Not specified Revenue to fund research and development of renewables University of Michigan (17) American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 22

23 Support also builds when options such as improving education and health services is provided: If there were a fee or tax on climate change pollution, how should the U.S. use the money? We should not tax carbon Improve education and health services Reduce the corporate income tax 5 Rebate the money equally to all citizens Reduce our federal debt 66 Fund development of new clean energy sources 1% % 3% 4% 5% 6% 7% 8% ecoamerica (17) American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 23

24 Americans believe we can act on climate solutions and grow our economy: % of Americans that agree... 8% 7% % 5% 4 4% % 31 % 14 1% Clean energy will create new jobs and growth**** The U.S. can combat climate change and protect jobs at the same time* Clean energy creates more jobs than fossil fuels*** Environmental protections are absolutely critical, no matter what** Environmental protection create new economic opportunities** Removing environmental proections will hurt the economy*** Reducing global warming will hurt jobs and the economy **** *Quinnipiac University (17),**Saint Leo University (17),***ecoAmerica(17), ****Ipsos/Reuters(17) American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 24

25 Behaviors: How Americans are acting on solutions American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 25

26 A majority of Americans are loyal to and trust companies that support social and environmental issues: % of Americans that say when a company supports social or environmental issues they... 95% 93% 93% 92% Have a more positive image of the company 88% Would be more loyal to the company 92% 91% 91% 9% 9% 9% 89% 88% 87% 87% 86% 87% 87% Would be more likely to trust the company 85% 84% 13 Cone Communications (17) American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 26

27 Where do Americans stand on taking action themselves? Personal actions on climate haven't shifted much over the past decade 1% 9 8% % 4% % Been active in an environmental group or organization Contacted a public official about an environmental issue Bought some product specifically because it was better for the environment Voluntarily recycled Contacted a business to complain about its products or policies that harm the environment Bought or sold stocks or mutual funds based on the environmental record of companies Gallup (, 17) American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 27

28 Activism: Reflecting on the 17 science marches, protests, and demonstrations American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 28

29 Americans are divided on the effectiveness the April 17 science marches: % of Americans who support vs. oppose the marches 48 National Republicans/ Lean Rep Democrats/ Lean Dem 68 % 26 4% % Support goals of marches Oppose goals of marches 18 8% Don t know 1% 1% Pew (17) % of Americans who think the marches help vs. make no difference 44 National Republicans/ Lean Rep 6 61 Democrats/ Lean Dem 7 Marches about science will help public support for science 13 Marches will make no difference for public support for science 32 3 Don t know % 4% 6% 8% 1% Pew (17) American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 29

30 About half of Americans say the climate marches will increase and encourage efforts for science and policy collaboration: % of U.S. adults who say protests, marches and demonstrations about science held in April 17 will be effective at... 59% 48% Encouraging scientists to be more active in civic and public affairs Raising support for government funding of science 49% 49% Increasing efforts to address global climate change Encouraging policymakers to rely more on advice of scientific experts Pew (17) American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 3

31 Nearly half of Americans believe participation in the climate marches stems from opposition to Trump: % of Americans that think Trump's handling of science issues is a major vs. minor reason for participation in the 17 climate marches 48% A major reason 17% Not a reason 22% A minor reason Pew (17) American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 31

32 Politics: Climate wedges a political divide American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 32

33 Large disparities exist among political affiliation when it comes to climate change: % of Americans concerned about climate change 45 National Republicans Independents 8 Gallup 66 Democrats % 4% 6% 8% 1% ecoamerica Quinnipiac University Gallup (17), ecoamerica (17), Quinnipiac University (17) American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 33

34 Americans are concerned about climate change: % of Americans concerned a great deal about climate change National Democrats Independents Republicans ecoamerica 18 1% Gallup % 3% 4% 5% 6% 7% ecoamerica (16), Gallup (16) American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 34

35 In the past year concern has jumped across the political spectrum, with the exception of Republicans: % of Americans concerned a great deal about climate change National Democrats Independents Republicans ecoamerica 18 Gallup 1% % 3% 4% 5% 6% 7% 8% ecoamerica (17), Gallup (17) American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 35

36 President Trump and Government: The role of climate policy for America's future American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 36

37 More Americans say we need regulation to combat climate change: % of Americans that say Trump should remove regulations that combat climate change vs. those who disagree 66% Should not 25% Should 9% Don t know Quinnipiac University (17) American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 37

38 Diving into specifics we see Americans disagree with Trump s anti-climate agenda, especially when it comes to clean energy: % of Americans that agree vs. disagree with President Trump that America should... Remove restrictions on offshore oil and gas drilling 31 Eliminate the fuel economy mandate requiring cars get a minimum of 54.5 miles per gallon 31 Cut the budget for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by 3% 3 Reduce the authority of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate climate change pollution Open public lands to coal mining Remove federal funding for clean energy projects 1% % % Total agree 71 3% 4% 5% 6% 7% % Total disagree 8% ecoamerica (17) American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 38

39 On the issue of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): % of Americans that favor vs. oppose cutting the EPA s budget Rasmussen 44% Favor 46% Oppose 1% Don t know Rasmussen (17) ecoamerica 3% Favor 63% Oppose 4% Don t know ecoamerica (17) American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 39

40 Across the political spectrum Americans strongly disagree with President Trump that America should remove restrictions on offshore oil and gas drilling: % of Americans that strongly disagree vs. strongly agree Strongly Disagree Strongly Disagree Republicans 4 7 Independents Democrats % 1% 1% % 3% 4% 5% 6% 7% 8% ecoamerica (17) American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 4

41 Republicans are also likely to agree with Trump s executive orders at rates double or more than Democrats or Independents: % Total agree, findings by political party Eliminate the fuel economy mandate requiring cars get a minimum of 54.5 miles per gallon Republican Cut the budget for the EPA by 3% Remove restrictions on offshore oil and gas drilling Open public lands to coal mining Remove federal funding for clean energy projects Reduce the authority of the EPA to regulate climate change pollution 58% 61% 61% 54% 44% 6% 28% 27% 3% % 14% 26% 13% 7% 13% 9% 7% 8% Independent Democrat ecoamerica (17) American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 41

42 Yet, Trump voters favor most climate solutions: % of Trump voters that favor vs. oppose the following Generating wind and solar on public land 23 More drilling and mining of fossil fuels on public land Funding more research of clean energy Providing tax rebates to people who purchase energy efficient vehicles and solar panels % Yale (17) 4% % % 4% 6% 8% Oppose/Disagree 1% 1% Favor/Agree American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 42

43 And in recent turn of events, Trump has acted out against what his voters and Americans want: % of Americans that agree vs. disagree with Trump s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement ecoamerica (17) I strongly agree with it (1%) I agree with it (9%) I disagree with it (9%) I strongly disagree with it (25%) I don t know (47%) American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 43

44 Nearly half of Trump voters disagree with his withdrawl from the Paris Agreement: % of Trump voters that support vs. oppose the withdrawl from the Paris agreement 25% 47% Don t know Should participate 28% Should not participate Yale (16) American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 44

45 A majority of Americans say we should remain in the agreement: 8% 7% 6% 5% % 3 3% Yale 32 % 13 Rasmussen 17 Morning Consult/POLITICO % Washington Post/ABC Ipsos/Reuters Quinnipiac University Should participate / Disapprove of withdrawl Should not participate / Approve of withdrawl Don't know Yale (16), Rasmussen (17), Morning Consult/POLITICO (17), WashingtonPost/ABC (17) Ipsos/Reuters (17), Quinnipiac University (17) *Note there is no 17 data from Rasmussen or Quinnipiac University American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 45

46 Following the announcement to pull out of the agreement, Americans still say we should lead on climate action, but are divided on dedicating funds toward the cause: Do you approve of the United States working with other countries to limit global warming? 1% No 17% Should the United States lead the fight against climate change? 73% 14% Unsure 68% Agree Yes 22% Disagree Unsure Ipsos/Reuters (17) American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 46

47 Americans who agree the U.S. should: Support the creation of a $1 billion internationally managed fund to help developing countries adapt to climate change % 47% Total agree Strongly agree 39% Total disagree Ipsos/Reuters (17) Follow through on a $3 billion pledge to help developing countries adapt to climate change 23% 47% Total agree Strongly agree 39% Total disagree Ipsos/Reuters (17) American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 47

48 Americans don t agree on the ramifications of pulling out of the agreement: % of Americans that say the following is likely due to the U.S. withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement 1% % % % % National Democrats Republicans Independents U.S. will not be seen as a leader on global issues Ipsos/Reuters (17) U.S. will be able to negotiate a better climate agreement with other countries U.S. economy will be stronger U.S. relations with other countries will suffer Global temperatures will rise faster American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 48

49 Bringing It Home: Americans turn to their communities to take up the mantle on climate solutions American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 49

50 Americans know we can t wait for Washington to act: % of Americans that say we could address climate change effectively, but our government is broken and can t agree on how to do it 19 Total disagree 7 Strongly disagree 74 Total agree 42 Strongly agree 3% % 1% 1% % 3% 4% 5% 6% 7% 8% ecoamerica (16) American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 5

51 Who Americans believe will act on climate solutions: % of Americans that think that the following is most likely to advance climate solutions 16 ecoamerica (16) Private sector (45%) Federal government (31%) State government (12%) Local government (12%) Federal government (31%) State government (15%) Local government (11%) 15 ecoamerica (15) Private sector (43%) American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 51

52 Who Americans think is best able to protect the environment: % of Americans total agree The President Congress States The business community 17 Republicans 14 Environmental activists 7 5% National Democrats 18 1% 15% Independents % 25% 3% Ipsos/Reuters (17) American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 52

53 Americans want to bring solutions home to their communities and take on action: What Americans say their city or town is doing vs. what they wish they were doing 39 4% 35% 32 3% % 19 % 15% % 7 5% Conserving energy ecoamerica (16) Purchasing renewable energy like wind and solar Educating others about climate change Talking to the public about climate change My city or town is... All the above I wish my city or town were... American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 53

54 Americans believe they personally, and we collectively, can and need to take action on climate: Total Agree 8% Strongly Agree 8 7% 59 6% 52 5% 6% 4% 5% 4% % 3% % % 1% 1% Can help reduce the pollution that is causing climate change ecoamerica (16) Need to take action now to reduce the pollution that is causing climate change Can help reduce the pollution that is causing climate change Need to take action now to reduce the pollution that is causing climate change I... We... American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 54

55 Americans are very hopeful for the future: % of Americans that agree vs. disagree that we can reduce the pollution that is causing climate change 17% Disagree 78% Agree ecoamerica (16) American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary 55

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