Climate change initiatives often have a strong climate impact.A bipartisan majority of Americans support key proposals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute towards climate change.
However, like other social and scientific hot issues, such as immigration and race for example, the majority will not translate into bipartisan solution.
Just in time to celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd GallupNew polling has shown widespread support for green initiatives across the country, with 89% of Americans supporting tax credits for homeowners who install clean energy systems.
Majorities also approveAdditional green measures include:
- Provide tax incentives to businesses to encourage their use for wind, solar, and nuclear power (75%).
- Set higher fuel efficiency standards (71%) for cars, trucks, and buses
- Establishing strict limits on methane emissions in natural gas production (62%).
- Tax credits for individuals who buy electric vehicles (61%).
- Federal money spent to increase the number electric vehicle charging stations in the United States (59%).
Gallup researchers explained the context of this data: President Joe Biden made climate policy a major component of the approximately $2 trillion social spending bill that he proposed last fiscal year. The Senate stopped the bill because of concerns about the impact on the economy and budget deficit more generally. However, it is possible to pass some parts of it as separate legislation. A separate infrastructure bill, which passed last year with bipartisan support, did include provisions to increase the use and adoption of clean energy.
Gallup polled respondents as well.To weigh the potential economic risk of legislation to limit greenhouse gas emission against the risk to the environment if such legislation is not passed. A narrower majority (53%) said they are more concerned with the environment of not passing these proposals, while 43% expressed concern about the possible harm to the economy and deficit if passed.
A third question asked about economic growth versus environmental protection. The results were similar to that of the second question. 53% said that protecting the environment is more important than economic growth, while 42% said the opposite.
Based on similar surveys from 1984, Gallup has observed a direct correlation between the economic state and the way Americans answer questions about climate initiatives. According to the report, Americans have almost always prioritized environment, but they are less likely in weaker economic times.
The U.S. is currently facing high inflation.Record gas prices and a slow recovery from the economic effects caused by the coronavirus pandemic have made environmental protection a marginal priority. In 2019, and early 2020, the Americans prioritized environmental protection by approximately 2 to 1.
“Before the pandemic, in 2019 and early 2020, Americans prioritized environmental protection by roughly 2 to 1.
While there are substantial bipartisan majority support for some green initiatives, Gallup found that Republicans as well as Democrats differ in their views on whether the environment or the economy should be given more priority.
A supermajority of Republicans (68%)Republican-leaning Republicans and independents prioritise the risk of economic harm and an increase in the deficit from climate change laws. Three-quarters (75%) of Democrats believe that the environment is more important than the budget deficit and the risk to it.
Despite the sound bites of politicians and the fact that Republicans are more likely to support some of the initiatives mentioned in the poll, it is clear that the Republican majority supports them. Majorities of Republicans favor tax credits to people who install clean energy systems (78%), tax incentive for businesses that use alternate energy (62%), higher fuel efficiency standards (56%).
The two things Republicans are least likely support are tax credits for individuals who buy electric vehicles (36%), and spending federal money to increase electric vehicle charging stations in the U.S. (40%).
However, separate marketPsychographic ResearchThis interesting point is further complicated by the fact that Tesla buyers who are looking for the most popular and fashionable electric vehicle in the market are almost as likely as Democrats to be Republicans. And the gap is shrinking.
Market ResearchHedges & Company’s 2018 study found that the average Tesla owner was a 54-year old white male who earns over $140,000 a year. He has no children.
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