NEW POLL: Voters Continue to Support Ambitious Climate and Clean Energy Investments
Voters Increasingly Concerned about Threats of Extreme Weather, A Majority Want Climate Action Beyond the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework
Washington, D.C. – Today, as part of an ongoing polling partnership with Climate Power, Data For Progress released a new survey finding that over two-thirds of voters (71 percent) support the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal backed by Democrats and Republicans in Congress while three-quarters of voters (75 percent) think it is important for lawmakers to address climate change and transition to clean energy in addition to the framework’s investment in infrastructure. More than 8 in 10 voters (83 percent) are concerned that future generations will bear the brunt of extreme weather events.
The polling also shows that voters are more worried about Congressional Republicans denying the extent of climate change and preventing action than Congressional Democrats pushing big programs to solve climate change, and that nearly two-thirds of voters (63 percent) support a government investment to accelerate the production and adoption of electric vehicles.
“An unprecedented summer of extreme weather is disrupting our lives, and driving up concern from voters about the impact of climate change today and for future generations,” said Lori Lodes, executive director of Climate Power. “Americans support the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal and are also demanding that Congress go bigger and bolder when it comes to clean energy and climate change. Now is the time for Congress to build back better with a plan that slashes pollution, moves us to 100% clean electricity, and creates millions of jobs.”
“As our polling with Climate Power has continuously shown, Americans support ambitious climate action,” said Danielle Deiseroth, Senior Climate Analyst at Data for Progress. “While the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework is a start, it does not come close to addressing the immediate and bold investments in climate action and clean energy jobs needed now. With future generations in mind, Democrats can’t wait any longer to act while Republicans deny the effects of climate change.”
The survey’s key findings include:
- Voters are growing more concerned about the impacts of unemployment, air and water pollution, extreme weather, and climate change on their communities
- Over two-thirds of voters (71 percent) support the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework supported by Democrats and Republicans in Congress
- Three-quarters of voters (75 percent) think it is important for lawmakers to make investments to address climate change and transition to clean energy in addition to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework’s investments in physical infrastructure
- A majority of voters support the key climate and clean energy provisions excluded from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework but under consideration for a budget reconciliation proposal
- Voters are more concerned about Congressional Republicans denying the extent of climate change and preventing action than Congressional Democrats exaggerating the problem and pushing big and unnecessary government programs to address climate change
- A majority of voters (53 percent) think Democrats in Congress should use their majority to make investments in climate and clean energy, even if no Republicans in Congress will vote for them
- Nearly two-thirds of voters (63 percent) support a government investment to accelerate the production and adoption of electric vehicles
Summer of Climate-Fueled Extreme Weather, Fires Drives Up Voter Concerns
Given the historic heatwaves, droughts, and floods that have occurred this summer, voters are also overwhelmingly concerned that future generations will be more impacted by extreme weather events in their lifetimes compared to today. Eighty-three percent of voters, including nearly all Democrats (96 percent), a majority of Independents (82 percent), and over two-thirds of Republicans (69 percent) share this concern around future generations bearing the brunt of extreme weather events.
Voters Want Additional Climate Legislation, Including a Democrats-Only Package
A majority of voters agree that lawmakers should not stop with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework, even when presented with negative messaging around costs and government spending. By a 24-point margin, voters agree that our leaders should make more investments to tackle climate change, reduce pollution, create new clean energy jobs, and ensure we leave a sustainable world for future generations. A majority of Democrats (80 percent) and Independents (57 percent), as well as nearly a third of Republicans (32 percent), agree with this stance.
Given the broad levels of support for key climate and clean energy proposals, voters agree by a 14-point margin that Democrats in Congress should use their majority to make these investments, even if no Republicans in Congress will vote for them. Nearly all Democrats (88 percent) and a plurality of Independents (48 percent) agree with this sentiment.
A more detailed breakdown of the survey’s findings and charts can be found here.