Location: Maryland

Maryland residents are concerned about climate impacts on their state. 55% think climate is having a major impact on rising sea levels and retreating shorelines, compared to 54% who think climate effects are majorly impacting wildlife and ecosystems, 54% who believe the same about extreme weather, 46% about the fishing or agricultural industry, and 40% about human health. This poll also included questions about COVID-19.

This post includes climate and environment headlines, data points, and key takeaways from recent public polls – including a new international sustainability poll from POLITICO and Morning Consult, findings about the public’s reactions to different terms for methane gas, and state-level polls in Indiana, Maryland, and Wisconsin.­

A poll conducted in January of 2021 finds strong support for policies to improve transportation systems and address climate change in the state. 

96% of Maryland voters say that ensuring safe and timely commutes to work for Marylanders is an important objective. Around 60% of Marylander voters say that reducing traffic congestion, reducing pollution that contributes to asthma and lung disease, and ensuring low-income communities and communities of color have access to public transportation are very important issues for the Maryland Transportation Authority. Furthermore, nearly 66% of Maryland voters say that Maryland should immediately increase spending on public transportation infrastructure and support a variety of transportation investments, including by not limited to: investing in repairing and maintaining current transportation infrastructure, adding new bus routes and train lines to address transportation inaccessibility, providing tax credits or rebates to those purchasing electric vehicles, and adding bike lanes.
 

Americans are worried about “triple threat” of hurricanes, COVID, & climate change. 52% of Black Americans and 49% of Latinos/Latinas say they are more worried about hurricane season this year amidst the pandemic. Half of adults in southeastern coastal states say they are more worried about hurricane season this year and 66% say addressing climate change should be a priority.