Resources

Search below for resources covering the intersection of climate engagement, social science and data analytics.

RESULTS

Audiences for Electrics

Rewiring America and Harmony Labs
Research & Articles
04-01-2024

Use media behavior to learn how to reach and move people toward a narrative for all major household appliances and vehicles that is pro-electric. “Lifestyle conservatives” look like a key audience: Better understanding the factors underlying their consideration of and conversion to electrics seems important; this may point to supply-side work that needs doing. Excellent message research on EV’s exists: focus on the policy infrastructure for mainstreaming EVs means it may be of limited utility in understanding consumer choices for lifestyle conservatives, given how lukewarm they can be on government policy for just about anything; also any emphasis on climate is not likely to help here. Most important is to start making content: think about putting content out into the world and testing it with audiences in quick iterative loops that connect back to and constantly update strategic assumptions.

How's IRA doing?

David Roberts. Volts
Research & Articles
03-13-2024

Is the Inflation Reduction Act, passed nearly two years ago, doing what it set out to do? In this episode, Trevor Houser of the Rhodium Group compares the predictions of pre-IRA energy-sector models to the real-world data on clean-energy investment since its passage.

Unlocking Clean Energy Incentives for Underserved Communities

Rachel Isacoff. The Rockefeller Foundation
Research & Articles
03-08-2024

The Inflation Reduction Act provides an unprecedented opportunity to foster more equitable participation in clean energy development and channel resources into historically marginalized communities. Because of the IRA’s Direct Pay provision, nonprofits, and state, local, and Tribal governments can now access tax credits over 10 years for clean energy projects in underserved communities. This democratizes energy, unlocking the potential for diverse entities across the U.S. to own clean energy assets as a wealth-building opportunity.

Research & Articles
02-14-2024

In this episode, Reps. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) and Mike Levin (D-Calif.) discuss their Clean Electricity and Transmission Acceleration Act, explaining where Democrats have found consensus around transmission permitting and community engagement.

Research & Articles
01-23-2024

In an era where energy efficiency is paramount, the role of smart thermostats is becoming increasingly significant. Over recent years, these devices have transitioned from niche gadgets to essential household items, driven by their potential to reduce energy consumption and adapt to user preferences. The user base increased from 13% to 17% among internet households from 2022 to 2023, breaking the stagnation that hovered around 11%-13% for many prior years. This increase is primarily attributed to the rising cost of energy, which has spotlighted the economic benefits of these devices. Smart thermostats provide energy savings and feature automated controls and communication tools that aid in efficient energy management. The expansion of the smart thermostat market in 2022-2023 is not just about numbers; it signifies a shift in consumer mentality. This change in adoption pattern reflects a growing public trust in smart thermostats.

Research & Articles
01-01-2024

See how many – and what kinds of – clean energy jobs have been added in which states, counties, and metro areas on this site. Clean energy companies added almost 150,000 jobs in 2023, growing more than three times faster than overall U.S. employment to 3,460,406 clean energy jobs nationwide. Last year’s jobs spike corresponds with the first full year of historic clean energy investments and incentives under the landmark federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Only the post-pandemic recovery surge of 2021 (152,000 jobs) added more new jobs in a single year.

Environmental Polling Roundup - November 17th, 2023

David Gold, Environmental Polling Consortium
Research & Articles
11-17-2023

This post includes climate and environment headlines, data points, and key takeaways from recent public polls - including national polling on gas exports, household electrification, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law / IIJA, and Americans’ trust in scientists plus new polling of Latino voters in Georgia.

Research & Articles
11-15-2023

Voters continue to widely support the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law two years after it was signed into law. Replacing lead-contaminated pipes is the single most popular part of the legislation. Navigator finds that voters support President Biden’s signature infrastructure legislation by an overwhelming margin (65% support / 22% oppose) when it’s described as “an infrastructure plan to improve roads and bridges, expand power infrastructure, increase passenger and rail access, and improve water infrastructure” that was passed by “President Biden and a bipartisan group of lawmakers.” The infrastructure law enjoys the support of nearly nine in ten Democrats (89%), while independent voters support it by a two-to-one margin (52% support / 25% oppose) and Republican voters are split about evenly (43% support / 41% oppose). And in terms of specific policies, Navigator finds that replacing lead-contaminated pipes is the single most popular aspect of the infrastructure law. Nearly nine in ten voters (87%) support the infrastructure law’s provision to replace and upgrade water pipes that are contaminated with lead, including three in five (62%) who “strongly” support this provision.

Research & Articles
11-01-2023

Polling identified several key lessons for communicators keeping big oil and gas accountable, such as: 1) Making "polluters pay" is a unifying narrative. Framing accountability in terms of the oil and gas industry’s enormous damages to communities and their health, coupled with their inflated profits, can help depoliticize this issue for a wide range of voters. 2) Focus the blame from global context to specific companies. Don’t let big oil and gas use geopolitics as a scapegoat.

The United States’ Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) fails to reduce fossil fuel production or alleviate impact on environmental justice communities. Rather than set the United States on a path toward a managed phase-out of fossil fuels, the Inflation Reduction Act and the Biden administration’s policies are set to lead to a significant increase in U.S. oil and gas extraction and soaring exports. This finding makes a mockery of President Joe Biden’s claims of “climate leadership” and signals that without additional action to constrain oil and gas production, the suffering of oil and gas frontline communities will only grow. Black, Brown, Indigenous, and poor communities, especially in Appalachia, the Gulf Coast, and the Permian Basin, are disproportionately impacted by fossil fuel pollution, climate disasters, and health impacts.