American Climate Perspectives: 2017 Annual...
Transcript of American Climate Perspectives: 2017 Annual...
Belief and Concern: Concern for Our Climate Climbs | 3
American Climate Perspectives:2017 Annual Summary
Belief and Concern: Concern for our climate climbs
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 2
Majority of Americans think the rise in global tempertatures is due to human activities,but not all agree it is the sole cause:
0
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
201720162015
The Earth is warming mostlybecause of human activity (Pew)
Climate change is happening mainlydue to human activities(ecoAmerica)
Global warming is caused mostlyby human activities (Yale)
Climate change is caused entirelyby human activity(Saint Leo University)
Global warming is causedby human activities (Gallup)55
1622
45
65
16
26
44
68
16
38
585553
% of Americans that believe...
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 3
Within the past year, personal concern has soared and reached an all time high over thepast 30 years:
% of Americans that are personally concerned a great deal about global warming or climate change
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 4
40%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0
1989
1990
1991
1997
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
Gallup
Yale
Quinnnipiac UniversitySaint Leo University
24%
41%45%
73%
75%
76%
66%62%
49%
61%
Americans are concerned about the enviroment’s quality:
Gallup (2004-2017)
% of Americans that are...
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 5
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
Worried a great deal about the quality of the environment
Concerned a great deal aboutpollution of drinking water59%58%
48%
60%63%
43%
31%
47%
34%35%
53%
More Americans think the quality our environment is getting worse:
Gallup (2013-2017)
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.
% of Americans that think the quality of the environment is getting better vs. getting worse
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 6
0
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
41% 41%37%
36%
42%
49%50% 51%
56% 57%Getting worse
Getting better
While many pit the economy against our environment, Americans agree theenvironment is a priority:
Gallup (1984-2017)
% of Americans that priortize...
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 7
0
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
1984
1990
1991
1992
1995 1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
Environment
Economic growth32%
19%24%
44%
27%
51%54%
41%
35%
56%
71%
56% 47%
55%
42%
46%
In context of issues our nation faces, climate remains low:
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 8
What would you think is the most important problem facing the country today?
August 2017 (%) April 2017 (%) October 2016 (%)
Economy in general 20 24 31
Unemployment/jobs 7 5 6
Dissatisfaction with government/poor leadership
20 21 12
Healthcare 17 9 4
Unifying the country 6 7 2
Race relations/racism 7 4 10
Education 3 3 2
Environment/pollution 2 4 3Gallup (2016-2017)
Energy: American support for clean energy mounts
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 9
Americans support clean energy:
% of Americans that favor expansion or more production of...
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0
Wind and solar Wind Solar Natural Gas Oil Fracking
ecoAmerica (2016) and Pew (2016)*Note no data exists from ecoAmerica on wind, solar, and fracking separately
88 838389
61
42 42 4245
PewecoAmerica
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 10
Americans increasingly see the priority of clean energy for America’s energy supply:
Pew (2011-2017)
% of Americans that priortize...
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 11
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
02011 2012 2013 2014 2017
63%
47%
58%60%
65%
29%
39%
34%30%
27%
Wind, solar, and otheralternative energy sources
Production of oil, coal, andnatural gas
Americans think energy independence is of upmost importance:
Quinnipiac University (2017)
60%Very important
32%Somewhat important
5%Not so important
2%Not important at all
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 12
More Americans now oppose oil exploration on federal lands:
Gallup (2012-2017) OpposeFavor
% of Americans that favor vs. oppose oil exploration on federal lands
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 13
0
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
201720142012
65
34
58
4146
53
Over half of Americans oppose fracking and are split on whether we should use coal:
% of Americans who encourage vs. discourage coal and fracking
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 14
Coal
Fracking
Quinnipiac University (2017)
Gallup (2017)
36%Encourage
Encourage
56%Discourage
53%Discourage
12%Don’t know
8%Don’t know
35%
45%
40%
35%
30%
2015 2016 2017Gallup (2015-2017)
% of Americans that support fracking
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 15
Support for fracking continues to decline:
40%
36%35%
However, Americans are divided on advancing major oil pipelines:
Rasmussen Gallup Pew Quinnipiac University Gallup (2017), Quinnipiac University (2017), Rasmussen (2017), Pew (2017)
0 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
SupportOppose
43
39
48
50
% of Americans that oppose vs. support the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines in 2017
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 16
60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10%
51
36
42
40
% of Americans that prioritze environment vs. those that prioritize energy production
Gallup (2001-2017)
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 17
Americans are increasingly putting the environment before energy production:
52%
58% 59%
41%
36% 34% 34%
Prioritize environment
Prioritize energy production
0
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014 20
1520
1620
17
44%
48% 50%45%
Solutions: Americans are quickly turning solutions thatbenefit our environment and economy
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 18
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
Gallup (2011-2017), Pew (2011-2014,2017)*Note none of the pollings have 2015 data
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 19
Emphasize alternativeenergy (Gallup)Alternative sources suchas wind, solar (Pew)
Expand production of oil, coal, and natural gas (Pew)
Emphasize production of oil, gas and coal(Gallup)
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
02011 2012 2013 2014 2016 2017
26%
34%31%
32%
21% 23%
29%
39%
30%
34%
27%
63%
47% 58%
65% 65%
66%
59% 59%
64%
72% 71%
Americans increasingly favor charging large companies fees for their pollution:
ecoAmerica (2015-2016)
% of Americans that favor vs. oppose
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 20
0 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10%
2015 2016
55
77
6
16
75
8
18
Total Favor Strongly Favor Total Oppose Strongly Oppose
50
Americans support taxing carbon, especially when the tax money goes towardsdeveloping more clean energy:
ecoAmerica (2017), University of Michigan (2017)*Note no data exists for "Not specified" from ecoAmerica
0
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Income tax rebateReduce federal debtNot specified Fund research anddevelopment of renewables
ecoAmerica
University of Michigan
5042
24
62
11
66 66
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 21
If there were a fee or tax on climate change pollution, how should the U.S. use the money?
Support especially grows amongst Republicans when researchers specified where the taxmoney would go:
0
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Revenue to fundresearch anddevelopmentof renewables
Not specified0
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Revenue to fundresearch anddevelopmentof renewables
Not specified0
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Support
Oppose
Revenue to fundresearch anddevelopmentof renewables
Not specified
University of Michigan (2017)
RepublicansIndependentsDemocrats
66
26
77
19
47
40
70
26
30
63
45
49
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 22
Support also builds when options such as improving education and health servicesis provided:
0 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%
Fund development of newclean energy sources
Reduce our federal debt
Rebate the money equallyto all citizens
Reduce the corporateincome tax
Improve education andhealth services
We should nottax carbon 13
33
5
11
24
66
ecoAmerica (2017)
If there were a fee or tax on climate change pollution, how should the U.S. use the money?
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 23
Americans believe we can act on climate solutions and grow our economy:
*Quinnipiac University (2017),**Saint Leo University (2017),***ecoAmerica(2017), ****Ipsos/Reuters(2017)
0
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Reducing globalwarming will hurt
jobs and theeconomy ****
Removingenvironmental
proections will hurtthe economy***
Clean energy willcreate new jobsand growth****
Clean energycreates more jobsthan fossil fuels***
Environmentalprotections are
absolutely critical,no matter what**
Environmentalprotection create
new economicopportunities**
The U.S. can combatclimate change andprotect jobs at the
same time*
68
3237
40
70
31
14
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 24
% of Americans that agree...
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 25
Behaviors: How Americans are acting on solutions
A majority of Americans are loyal to and trust companies that support socialand environmental issues:
Cone Communications (2017)
% of Americans that say when a company supports social or environmental issues they...
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 26
Have a more positive imageof the company
Would be more likely to trustthe company
Would be more loyal tothe company
93%
90%
91%
92%
87%
88%
87%87%
95%
93%
92%
91%
90%
89%
88%
87%
86%
85%
84%2013 2015 2017
90%
Where do Americans stand on taking action themselves?
0
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Bought or sold stocksor mutual funds basedon the environmentalrecord of companies
Contacted a businessto complain about its
products or policies thatharm the environment
Voluntarily recycledBought some productspecifically because it
was better forthe environment
Contacted a publico�cial about an
environmental issue
Been active inan environmental
group or organization
2000
2017
15 18
73
90
139
21 20
66
89
11 9
Personal actions on climate haven't shifted much over the past decade
Gallup (2000, 2017)
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 27
Activism: Reflecting on the 2017 science marches,protests, and demonstrations
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 28
Americans are divided on the e�ectiveness the April 2017 science marches:
Don’t know
Oppose goals of marches
Support goals of marches
Don’t know
Marches will make no di�erencefor public support for science
Marches about science will helppublic support for science
0 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 120%
Republicans/Lean Rep
Pew (2017)
Pew (2017)
National 48 26 26
25 47 29
Democrats/Lean Dem 68 14 18
0 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Democrats/Lean Dem
Republicans/Lean Rep
National 44 44 7
22 60 13
61 32 3
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 29
% of Americans who support vs. oppose the marches
% of Americans who think the marches help vs. make no di�erence
% of U.S. adults who say protests, marches and demonstrations about science held in April 2017 will be e�ective at...
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 30
About half of Americans say the climate marches will increase and encourage e�ortsfor science and policy collaboration:
Encouraging scientists to be more active in civic and public a�airs
Pew (2017)
Increasing e�orts to address global climate change
Raising support for government funding of science
Encouraging policymakers to rely more on advice of scientific experts
59%
49%
48%
49%
Nearly half of Americans believe participation in the climate marches stems fromopposition to Trump:
17%Not a reason
22%A minor reason
48%A major reason
Pew (2017)
% of Americans that think Trump's handling of science issues is amajor vs. minor reason for participation in the 2017 climate marches
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 31
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 32
Politics: Climate wedges a political divide
Large disparities exist among political a�liation when it comes to climate change:
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 33
0 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
4569
76
4740
18
8043
45
9462
66
ecoAmerica
QuinnipiacUniversity
Gallup
Gallup (2017), ecoAmerica (2017), Quinnipiac University (2017)
% of Americans concerned about climate change
National
Republicans
Independents
Democrats
Americans are concerned about climate change:
2016
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 34
% of Americans concerned a great deal about climate change
Gallup
ecoAmericaRepublicans
Independents
Democrats
National
ecoAmerica (2016), Gallup (2016)
38
37
49
57
36
34
23
18
0 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
In the past year concern has jumped across the political spectrum, with theexception of Republicans:
2017
Republicans
Independents
Democrats
National
ecoAmerica (2017), Gallup (2017)
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 35
% of Americans concerned a great deal about climate change
41
45
62
66
43
45
16
18Gallup
ecoAmerica
0 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%
President Trump and Government: The role of climatepolicy for America's future
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 36
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
Quinnipiac University (2017)
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 37
9%Don’t know
66%Should not
25%Should
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...
ecoAmerica (2017)
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 38
0 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%
Reduce the authority of the EnvironmentalProtection Agency (EPA) to regulate
climate change pollution
2963
Remove federal funding forclean energy projects 71
19
Open public lands to coal mining 6525
Remove restrictions on o�shoreoil and gas drilling 59
31
Cut the budget for the EnvironmentalProtection Agency (EPA) by 30% 63
30
Eliminate the fuel economy mandate requiringcars get a minimum of 54.5 miles per gallon 56
31
% Total disagree
% Total agree
On the issue of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):% of Americans that favor vs. oppose cutting the EPA’s budget
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 39
Rasmussen
Rasmussen (2017)
ecoAmerica
ecoAmerica (2017)
44%Favor
30%Favor
46%Oppose
10%Don’t know
63%Oppose
4%Don’t know
Across the political spectrum Americans strongly disagree with President Trumpthat America should remove restrictions on o�shore oil and gas drilling:
0 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%
Strongly Disagree Strongly Disagree
Independents
Democrats
Republicans
ecoAmerica (2017)
% of Americans that strongly disagree vs. strongly agree
13
44
70
34
8
4
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 40
20% 10%
Republicans are also likely to agree with Trump’s executive orders at rates double ormore than Democrats or Independents:
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 41
% Total agree, findings by political party
Remove restrictions on
o�shore oil andgas drilling
Republican
Independent
Democrat
58% 61% 61% 60%
28% 27% 26%
13% 7%
30%
13%
54%
20%
9%
44%
14%
7% 8%
Eliminate the fueleconomy mandaterequiring cars get a minimum of 54.5
miles per gallon
Cut the budget forthe EPA by 30%
Open public landsto coal mining
Remove federalfunding for cleanenergy projects
Reduce theauthority of theEPA to regulateclimate change
pollution
ecoAmerica (2017)
Yet, Trump voters favor most climate solutions:
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 42
% of Trump voters that favor vs. oppose the following…
Yale (2017) Oppose/Disagree Favor/Agree
0 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 120%
Generating wind and solar onpublic land
23 77
More drilling and mining of fossilfuels on public land
7227
Funding more research of clean energy
7128
Providing tax rebates to peoplewho purchase energy e�cient
vehicles and solar panels
6929
60% 40% 20%
And in recent turn of events, Trump has acted out against what his voters andAmericans want:
% of Americans that agree vs. disagree with Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement
ecoAmerica (2017)
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 43
I strongly agree with it (10%) I disagree with it (9%)I agree with it (9%) I strongly disagree with it (25%) I don’t know (47%)
Nearly half of Trump voters disagree with his withdrawl from the Paris Agreement:
47%Should
participate
25%Don’t know
28%Should notparticipate
Yale (2016)
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 44
% of Trump voters that support vs. oppose the withdrawl from the Paris agreement
A majority of Americans say we should remain in the agreement:
0
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Don't knowShould not participate /Approve of withdrawl
Should participate /Disapprove of withdrawl
Ipsos/Reuters
Quinnipiac University
Washington Post/ABC
Rasmussen
Morning Consult/POLITICO
Yale
Yale (2016), Rasmussen (2017), Morning Consult/POLITICO (2017), WashingtonPost/ABC (2017) Ipsos/Reuters (2017), Quinnipiac University (2017)*Note there is no 2017 data from Rasmussen or Quinnipiac University
69
6057 59
47
62
13
30
2428
39
32
17 19
13 15
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 45
Following the announcement to pull out of the agreement, Americans still say weshould lead on climate action, but are divided on dedicating funds toward the cause:
10%No
17%Unsure
Do you approve of the United States workingwith other countries to limit global warming?
Should the United States lead the fight againstclimate change?
73%Yes
14%Unsure
22%Disagree
68%Agree
Ipsos/Reuters (2017)
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 46
Americans who agree the U.S. should:
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 47
Ipsos/Reuters (2017)
Ipsos/Reuters (2017)
Support the creation of a $100 billion internationally managed fund to help developing countries adapt to climate change
Follow through on a $3 billion pledge to help developing countries adapt to climate change
23%Stronglyagree
20%Stronglyagree
47%Total agree
39%Total disagree
47%Total agree
39%Total disagree
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
0
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
U.S. will not be seen as aleader on global issues
U.S. will be able tonegotiate a betterclimate agreement
with other countries
U.S. economy will bestronger
U.S. relations with othercountries will su�er
Global temperatures willrise faster
National
Democrats
Republicans
Independents
Ipsos/Reuters (2017)
63
78
50
70
37
21
59
3541
21
71
31
64
83
45
71
50
74
25
52
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 48
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 49
Bringing It Home: Americans turn to their communitiesto take up the mantle on climate solutions
% of Americans that say we could address climate change e�ectively, but our government is broken and can’t agree on how to do it
Americans know we can’t wait for Washington to act:
0 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%30% 20% 10%
Total disagree
Strongly disagree
Total agree
Strongly agree
19
7
74
42
ecoAmerica (2016)
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 50
Who Americans believe will act on climate solutions:
% of Americans that think that the following is most likely to advance climate solutions
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 51
2016
2015
ecoAmerica (2016)
State government (12%) Local government (12%)Private sector (45%) Federal government (31%)
ecoAmerica (2015)State government (15%) Local government (11%)Private sector (43%) Federal government (31%)
Who Americans think is best able to protect the environment:
Ipsos/Reuters (2017)
0 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%
Environmentalactivists
The businesscommunity
States
Congress
The President
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 52
Independents
Republicans
Democrats
National
% of Americans total agree
13
14
23
18
14
13
16
20
20
14
19
14
12
27
26
7
11
19
17
18
Americans want to bring solutions home to their communities and take on action:
0
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
All the aboveTalking to the publicabout climate change
Educating othersabout climate change
Purchasing renewableenergy like wind and solar
Conserving energy
ecoAmerica (2016) My city or town is... I wish my city or town were...
3230
19
27
16
24
11
20
7
39
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 53
What Americans say their city or town is doing vs. what they wish they were doing
Americans believe they personally, and we collectively,can and need to take action on climate:
0
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Need to take action nowto reduce the pollution that is
causing climate change
Need to take action nowto reduce the pollution that is
causing climate change
Can help reduce thepollution that is
causing climate change
Can help reduce thepollution that is
causing climate change
0
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
ecoAmerica (2016)
Total Agree Strongly Agree
We...I...
72 7378 80
3641
52
59
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 54
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 (2016)
American Climate Perspectives: Annual Summary | 55
Thank you!ecoAmerica builds a critical mass of institutional leadership,
public support and political will for definitive climate solutions in the United States.
Learn more at ecoAmerica.org