This post includes climate and environment headlines, data points, and key takeaways from recent public polls - including new national polling on energy policy, the factors behind people’s climate views, and electric vehicles + new polling in Michigan on energy issues and the state’s climate plan.

HEADLINES

AP + NORC/EPIC – Roughly three in four Americans recognize that climate change is happening, and most believe it’s accelerating; extreme weather and scientists have the greatest influence on Americans’ climate views (Release, Report, Topline)

Gallup – Americans are more likely to prioritize environmental protection over fossil fuel production this year as energy concerns have subsided since the 2022 crisis; however, partisans are more divided than ever on the trade-offs between the environment and economic growth (Energy Article, Economy Article)

Gallup – Most Americans would consider purchasing an electric vehicle, though there are large differences in interest by partisanship (Article)

[MI] Data for Progress – Voters overwhelmingly support major provisions of the MI Healthy Climate Plan and the transition to a fully clean electricity grid (Article, Topline)

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Scientists remain the most trusted messengers on climate change. Gallup finds that Americans are much more likely to say that scientists have influenced their views on climate change than other sources such as political and business leaders. This is consistent with other polling, which has shown that scientists rank among the most trusted authorities on climate change – including among both Democratic and Republican audiences.
• We can’t separate the economic factors behind car choices from the cultural factors. Gallup finds that interest in electric vehicles is more closely linked with people’s political partisanship than any other socioeconomic factor. While concerns over costs and the lack of charging stations continue to rank among the most significant self-reported barriers to EV interest, we need to recognize that practicality and material self-interest are only parts of the equation. Increasing EV interest among conservative audiences will require a more concerted effort to depoliticize EVs and address perceived stigmas.
• Support for fossil fuels has subsided since last year’s energy crisis, but we still need to present an appealing alternative. Gallup finds that Americans are more likely to prioritize environmental protection over fossil fuel production than at this time last year, and a narrow majority support environmental protection over economic growth. However, it’s important for advocates not to accept the false environment/economy binary – which is typically how opponents of environmental protections want it to be framed – and emphasize pro-environment, pro-growth policies like clean energy development instead.

GOOD DATA POINTS TO HIGHLIGHT

• [Climate Change] 74% of Americans recognize that climate change is happening [AP + NORC/EPIC]
• [Climate Change] 55% of Americans say that the pace of climate change is getting faster [AP + NORC/EPIC]
• [Clean Energy] By a 59%-35% margin, Americans would prefer that the U.S. emphasize the development of alternative energy such as wind and solar over the production of oil, gas and coal [Gallup]
• [Energy Saving] By a 56%-40% margin, Americans would prefer that the U.S. emphasize conservation of existing energy supplies over the production of oil, gas and coal [Gallup]
• [Issue Priority] More Americans say that climate/environment is the number one “most important issue” for them than any other issue besides inflation/prices, health care, and the economy/jobs [The Economist + YouGov]
• [Michigan] By a 61%-33% margin, Michigan voters support the state moving to a 100% clean energy electricity grid by 2035 [Data for Progress]