This post includes climate and environment headlines, data points, and key takeaways from recent public polls - including new polling on climate and clean energy issues in the presidential race, extreme weather, nuclear energy, and PFAS.

HEADLINES

Climate Power + Data for Progress – Voters widely approve of Kamala Harris’s record on climate and clean energy; standout accomplishments include cleaning up drinking water, taking on polluters, and passing clean energy legislation [Article, Harris/Trump Contrast Crosstabs, Harris Accomplishment Crosstabs]

AP-NORC – Nearly two-thirds of Americans say that climate change is negatively impacting the country, and four in five say that they’ve personally been impacted by severe weather [Article, Topline]

Pew – Support for nuclear power has been steadily increasing over the past several years, and the majority of Americans now say that the country should expand its use [Article]

Data for Progress – Voters haven’t heard much about PFAS, but express deep concerns after learning about them; voters are particularly concerned about PFAS exposure through drinking water, and overwhelmingly support new EPA standards to limit it [Article, Crosstabs]

KEY TAKEAWAYS

The public is encouraged by Kamala Harris’s climate record, and have more confidence in her to handle the issue than other national figures. Climate Power and Data for Progress find that Harris starts her presidential campaign with clear advantages on climate and clean energy issues. Voters continue to widely approve of the Biden-Harris administration’s major accomplishments on climate, energy, and the environment, and also side more with Harris over Trump in key debates over clean energy, polluter accountability, and climate action. An AP-NORC poll further finds that Americans trust Harris far more than Trump to handle climate change, and also express more confidence in Harris to handle the issue than they trusted Biden.

Americans connect extreme weather to climate change, and also to their pocketbook. Consistent with other polls, AP-NORC finds that the vast majority of Americans who report recent experiences with extreme weather say that climate change was a factor. Their poll also reinforces that extreme weather is emerging as a pocketbook issue for Americans, as many say that they’ve faced unanticipated expenses as a result of extreme weather and the vast majority say that extreme heat is impacting their electricity bills.

GOOD DATA POINTS TO HIGHLIGHT

• [Clean Energy + Election] 68% of voters agree that the next president should continue investing in clean energy manufacturing [Climate Power + Data for Progress]
• [Climate Change + Election] 54% of voters agree that the next president should be someone with a record of addressing climate change who will prioritize climate action [Climate Power + Data for Progress]
• [Climate Impact] 64% of Americans recognize that climate change has had a negative impact on the country [AP-NORC]
• [Climate Action] 55% of Americans say that the U.S. government is doing too little to address climate change, while just 21% say that the government is doing too much [AP-NORC]
• [PFAS] 75% of voters support the new EPA standards to limit PFAS in drinking water [Data for Progress]