Environmental Polling Roundup – July 9th, 2021

This post includes climate and environment headlines, data points, and key takeaways from recent public polls – including polls on extreme weather and the American Jobs Plan.

HEADLINES

Economist/YouGov – Half of Americans believe that recent extreme weather events have been caused by climate change; rising sea levels and extreme heat are viewed as the most likely to be climate-related (Topline, Crosstabs)

Navigator – Majority support for the American Jobs Plan is stable; most voters prefer a comprehensive infrastructure package that addresses climate change over one focused solely on repairing highways, roads, and bridges (Release, Deck, Topline)

GOOD DATA POINTS TO HIGHLIGHT

-Nearly three-quarters of voters (73%) support the American Jobs Plan after reading a one-sentence description of it that includes investments in clean energy (Navigator)

-By a 62%-38% margin, voters would prefer new infrastructure legislation that “focuses on repairing highways, roads, and bridges as well as addressing climate change and investing in school and childcare” over legislation that “only focuses on repairing highways, roads and bridges” (Navigator)

-61% of Americans understand that the world’s climate is changing as a result of human activity (Economist/YouGov)

-By a 57%-43% margin, voters would prefer legislation that “focuses on doing what’s necessary to fix the country’s infrastructure, even if it means doing so without bipartisan support” over legislation that “focuses on passing bipartisan infrastructure legislation, even if it means fewer proposals get enacted” (Navigator)

-Climate/environment continues to be the most important single issue area for more Americans than any other issue area besides jobs/economy and health care (Economist/YouGov)