NEW POLL: Voters Strongly Back U.S. Global Climate Leadership, Overwhelming Support for Biden’s American Jobs Plan
A Majority of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents Back Clean Energy Investments in the American Jobs Plan
Washington, D.C. – Today, a new survey released by Data For Progress, as part of an ongoing polling partnership with Climate Power, found the vast majority of voters (76%) want America to exhibit global leadership to address climate change. There is also overwhelming and growing support for the American Jobs Plan, with 68% supporting the plan after a short description and support growing to 71% after additional information is presented. A majority of voters also think it is important that the American Jobs Plan includes proposals to combat climate change and create an equitable clean energy future
“In 2020, Americans gave President Biden and Congress a mandate to act on climate, and in poll after poll we’ve continued to see overwhelming support from voters for big, bold investments in clean energy and infrastructure,” said Lori Lodes, executive director of Climate Power. “Climate action and leadership on the global stage equal jobs here at home. It’s time for Congress to get to work and pass the American Jobs Plans”
“Voters across party lines overwhelmingly support the American Jobs Plan, and our polling finds that the climate and clean energy proposals are driving the widespread support for the plan, said Danielle Deiseroth, Senior Climate Analyst at Data for Progress. “As America looks to take ambitious actions on climate at home and abroad, lawmakers can feel confident knowing voters want America to act boldly in tackling the climate crisis.”
The survey’s key findings include:
- Over three-quarters of voters (76 percent) agree America should work with other countries to combat climate change and reduce global greenhouse gas emissions
- A majority of voters (70 percent) agree America should take ambitious actions to address climate change so other countries will follow our lead
- Over two-thirds of voters (68 percent) support the American Jobs Plan, even when given only minimal information about the plan
- Bipartisan support for the American Jobs Plan grows (71 percent) when voters are given more information about the climate and clean energy components of the plan
- A majority of Democrats, Independents, and Republicans all think it is important that the American Jobs Plan includes proposals to combat climate change and create an equitable clean energy future
- Over two-thirds of voters (67 percent) agree the American Jobs Plan should have standards to ensure disadvantaged communities benefit from the investments
A more detailed rundown of the survey’s findings can be found here.
Voters Strongly Back U.S. Global Climate Leadership
Voters want the U.S. to lead the world – and to do so by example – when it comes to addressing the climate crisis.
Contrary to the claims of climate skeptics, voters understand that the climate can’t wait and we need to take bold action right now, regardless of what other countries are doing. Even a majority of Republican voters believe that if America leads, other countries will follow.
Voters Overwhelmingly Back American Jobs Plan, Believe It Should Include Clean Energy Investments
When given a brief description of the American Jobs Plan, over two-thirds of voters (68 percent) support the American Jobs Plan. While an overwhelming majority of Democrats (88 percent) and Independents (70 percent) support the American Jobs Plan, Republicans are nearly split.
However, when voters are given more information about the proposals included the American Jobs Plan — specifically, the investments that will create jobs while addressing climate change, promoting clean energy usage, and reducing pollution — bipartisan support for the plan actually increases.
As lawmakers debate the size and the scope of the American Jobs Plan based on President Biden’s proposal, it is clear that voters want the legislation to include the climate and clean energy proposals that will create jobs, empower workers, and address environmental injustices. Over three-quarters of voters (76 percent) think it is “Very” or “Somewhat” important that the American Jobs Plan makes investments that will help America combat climate change and create a thriving clean energy economy. Voters across party lines agree: Nearly all Democrats (97 percent), over two-thirds of Independents (70 percent), and a majority of Republicans (57 percent) think it is important that the American Jobs Plan includes climate and clean energy proposals.
Methodology
From April 16 to April 19, 2021, Data for Progress conducted a survey of 1,138 likely voters nationally using web panel respondents. The sample was weighted to be representative of likely voters by age, gender, education, race, and voting history. The survey was conducted in English. The margin of error is ±3 percentage points.