Issue: Climate Policy

Amplifying working-class people’s experiences with climate and energy may be key for political progress. UK-based Climate Outreach highlights some often-held beliefs by working-class folks in Europe in this resource. Some take individual actions to conserve energy (for financial reasons) but feel powerless to make political change. Some don’t trust politicians. Many favor broadly redistributive climate policies that would make life better for many people, such as expanding public transit. Some want to ensure that freedom and autonomy for individuals would be preserved in any energy transition. Some want to still be able to drive a car (especially those in rural areas) while others are ok with transit options in metro areas. Many favor taxing the rich to finance climate policies.

Americans are concerned about the impact of water scarcity on farmers and ranchers, the economy and public health. More than half of voters in drought-impacted Arizona and Colorado, in particular, fear their state will not have enough water in the next 100 years. Nearly 80% of Americans, nationally, support protecting “natural infrastructure” such as rivers, coastlines, and groundwater supplies. 13% of Americans said that “environmental issues—like climate change, increased temperature, drought, flooding, extreme weather, wildfires” are the most important set of political issues to them, personally. This poll includes over 80 total questions on various aspects of climate impacts and policy.