Politics & Global Warming, Spring 2016

An increasing number of American voters across the political spectrum view global warming as happening and are looking for a government and their community to address the issue.

WHY SHOULD YOU TAKE A LOOK

This report looks at the significant number of registered Republican, Independent and, Democratic voters’ views on global warming. The findings conclude that the liberal and conservative sectors of each party express different concerns related to global warming.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Increasing number of Americans think global warming is happening

  • 73% of voters think global warming is happening
  • More then half of registered voters (56%) think global warming is caused by human-related activities.

Global Warming as an Issue in the November 2016 Elections

  • 43% of Americans are most likely to vote for a presidential candidate who strongly supports global warming reduction.

Political and Individual Action on Global Warming

  • Conservative Republicans have experienced the largest shift in views that global warming is happening. 47% believe it is happening, an increase of 19% over the last two years.
  • Democrats are more likely to understand that human-caused global warming is happening and to support government climate action than Republicans.
  • 43% of Americans are most likely to vote for a presidential candidate who strongly supports global warming reduction.
 

Registered voters support proposed energy policies

  • 81% of all registered voters agree about providing a tax rebate for drivers who purchase energy-efficient vehicles. 
  • 68% of all registered voters want fossil fuel companies to pay a carbon tax, resulting in a reduction in income taxes.
  • 75% of votes want to regulate carbon dioxide as pollution.
  • 84% of all registered voters want more research on renewable energy sources.

 

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