Public Opinion Landscape

A p r i l 2 0 1 6

Public Opinion Landscape: Energy and the Environment

PAGE 2

TA B L E O F C O N T ENTS

Slide

Current Landscape 3

Energy Policy & Political Perceptions 11

Energy Sources 21

C u r r e n t L a n d s c a p e

Source: Gallup Poll, March 2-6, 2016 PAGE 4

A F T E R R E C O RD- HIG H T E M PER ATURE S L A S T Y E A R, M O R E A M E R IC ANS T H I N K T H E Q U A L ITY O F T H E E N V I RONM ENT I S G E T T I NG W O R SE

Right now, do you think the quality of the environment in the country as a whole is getting better or getting worse?

Getting worse

Getting better

Note: “Same” and “no opinion” results not shown

57%54%

57% 58%63%

67% 67% 68%

51%48% 48% 49% 49% 50% 51%

56%

36%40%

33% 34%29%

25% 25% 26%

41% 41% 42% 42% 41% 42% 41%37%

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016


V I E W S A R E M I X E D O N T H E C A U S E O F T H E U N U SU ALLY WA R M T E M P ER ATURE

Note: “Same” and “no opinion” results not shown

49%

46%

5%

Human-caused climate change

Natural changes in Earth’s temperature

Assuming these reports are accurate, do you think the record temperatures were mainly due to human-caused climate change OR to natural changes in the Earth’s temperature?


C O N C ERN S A B O UT G L O B AL WA R M ING A R E T H E H I G HE ST S I N C E 2 0 0 8

58%51%

62% 65% 66%60%

52% 51%55% 58% 56% 55%

64%

40%47%

36% 34% 33%40%

48% 48% 45% 43% 43% 45%

36%

2003 2004 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

I’m going to read you a list of environmental problems. As I read each one, please tell me if you personally worry about this problem a great deal, a fair amount, only a little, or not at all. First, how much do you worry about [global warming]?

Worry a great deal/a fair amount

Only a little/not at all


Y E T, A M A J O RIT Y O F A M E R I CANS D O U BT G L O B AL WA R MI NG W I L L S E R I OU SLY A F F E CT T H E M

65% 62%58% 60%

67%61% 64% 64% 62%

57%

33% 35%40% 38%

32%38%

34% 36% 37%41%

2002 2006 2008 2009 2010 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Note: “No opinion” results not shown

Do you think that global warming will pose a serious threat to you or your way of life in your lifetime?

No

Yes

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D E M O CRAT S M O R E L I K E LY T O S AY E F F E CTS O F G L O B A L WA R M I NG H AV E A L R E AD Y B E G UN

Which of the following statements reflects your view of when the effects of global warming will begin to happen?

Source: Gallup Poll, March 2-6, 2016

59%

5%9%

17%

10%

Already begun

Will begin within a few

years

Will begin within lifetime

Will affect future

generations

Will never happen

36%

55%

72%

Republicans

Independents

Democrats

% “Already begun” by Party

PAGE 9

O V E R H A L F W H O T H I NK G L O B AL WA R MI NG I S H A P P EN ING S AY I T I S C A U S E D E N T IR ELY O R M O S T LY B Y H U M AN A C T IV ITY

Yes69%

No16%

Not Sure15%

Refused1%

2%

6%

38%

41%

11%

Caused entirely by natural changes in the environment

Caused mostly by natural changes in the environment

Caused about equally by human activities and natural changes in the environment

Caused mostly by human activities

Caused entirely by human activities

Do you think that global warming is happening, or do you think global warming is not happening?

Of those who think global warming is happening, do you think global warming is…

Source: Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research Poll, July 17-19, 2015


M O R E N O W S AY T H E N E W S U N D ER ESTI MATE S T H E S E R I OU SNE SS O F G L O B AL WA R MI NG

31%

33%

38%

31%30%

33%35%

41%

48%

43% 42% 41% 42% 42%

34%

32%

29%

25%

29% 28% 29%

33%29%

24%26%

24% 24% 23%21% 25%

32%33% 33%

35%

38%

35%

29% 28%25%

29%31%

33% 33%35%

40%

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Thinking about what is said in the news, in your view is the seriousness of global warming – [generally exaggerated, generally correct, or is it generally underestimated]?

Note: “DK/ref” results not shown

Underestimated

Exaggerated

Correct

E n e r g y P o l i c y & P o l i t i c a l P e r c e p t i o n s

PAGE 12

C L I M ATE C H A NGE L O W O N L I S T O F C R I T ICA L T H R E ATS T O U . S . , B U T H I G H O N T H E L I S T F O R D E M O CRAT S

% Critical Threat All Republicans Democrats

1 International terrorism 79% 86% 74%

2 Development of nuclear weapons by Iran 75% 87% 66%

3 Cyberterrorism, the use of computers to cause disruption or fear in society 73% 77% 72%

4 The spread of infectious diseases throughout the world 63% 59% 66%

5 The conflict in Syria 58% 64% 54%

6 The military power of North Korea 58% 67% 51%

7 Large number of refugees trying to come to Europe and North America 52% 70% 37%

8 Global warming or climate change 50% 25% 75%

9 The conflict between Israel and Palestinians 45% 53% 38%

10 The military power of China 41% 49% 33%

11 The economic power of China 41% 48% 34%

12 The military power of Russia 39% 44% 34%

I am going to read you a list of possible threats to the vital interests of the United States in the next 10 years. For each one, please tell me if you see this as a critical threat, an important but not critical threat or not an important threat at all.

Source: Gallup Poll, February 3-7, 2016

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A N D E N V I R ONME NTAL I S S U ES R A N K T O WA RD T H E B O T TO M O F T O P P R I O RI TIE S

% Top Priority 2014 2015 2016 % Top Priority 2014 2015 2016

1 Strengthening the nation’s economy 80% 75% 75% 13 Protecting the environment 49% 51% 47%

2 Defending the country from future terrorist attacks 73% 76% 75% 14 Reforming the nation’s tax system 55% 48% 45%

3 Improving the educational system 69% 67% 66% 15 Reforming the criminal justice system - - 44%

4 Improving the job situation 74% 67% 64% 16 Dealing with global climate change - 34% 38%

5 Taking steps to make the Social Security system financially sound 66% 66% 62% 17 Dealing with gun policy - - 37%

6 Reducing healthcare costs 59% 64% 61% 18 Dealing with global trade issues 28% 30% 31%

7 Taking steps to make the Medicare system financially sound 61% 61% 58%

8 Reducing crime 55% 57% 58%

9 Reducing the budget deficit 63% 64% 56%

10 Dealing with the problems of poor and needy people 49% 55% 54%

11 Dealing with the issue of immigration 40% 52% 51%

12 Strengthening the U.S. military 43% 52% 49%

I’d like to ask you about priorities for President Obama and Congress this year. As I read from a list, tell me if you think each should be a top priority, important but lower priority, not too important or it should not be done.

Source: Pew Research Center, January 7-11, 2016

PAGE 14

A F T E R A H U G E D R O P I N 2 0 1 0 , O B A M A’S J O B A P P R O VAL F O R E N V I RO NMEN TAL/ ENE RGY I S S U ES H A S S TAY ED C O N S IST ENT

Do you think Barack Obama is doing a good job or a poor job in handling each of the following issues as president? [% good job]

Protecting the nation’s environment

Improving the nation’s energy policy

Note: No opinion results not shown

79%

52% 55% 56% 55%51% 52%

54%

72%

43% 41% 42%46%

42% 39%48%

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016



A S O B A M A’ S P R E SI DEN CY C O M ES T O A C L O S E , A M A J O R ITY O F A M E R IC ANS T H I N K T O O L I T TL E I S B E I N G D O N E T O P R O TE CT T H E E N V I RO NMEN T

7% 5% 5% 4%

15% 16% 17% 16% 17% 16%12%

51%55%

58%62%

46% 49% 51%47% 48% 48%

57%

37% 37%34% 33% 35% 33%

30%35% 34% 34%

29%

2003 2004 2005 2006 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Too little

About the right amount

Too much

Do you think the U.S. government is doing too much, too little, or about the right amount in terms of protecting the environment?

Note: “No opinion” results not shown

President Obama took office in 2009

Source: Pew Research Center Poll, March 17-27, 2016 PAGE 16

3 I N 4 A M E R ICA NS T H I NK T H E U . S . S H O ULD D O W H ATE VER I T C A N T O P R O T ECT T H E E N V I RONM ENT

Which statement comes closer to your views, even if neither is exactly right? The country should do whatever it takes to protect the environment OR the country has gone too far in its efforts to protect the environment?

Note: Equal priority and No opinion results not shown

The country should do whatever it takes to protect the environment

The country has gone too far in its efforts to protect the environment

77% 74% 77% 80% 78% 77%71% 71%

74%

19% 22%18% 15% 17% 18%

24% 25% 23%

1994 1995 1996 1999 2000 2004 2011 2014 2016

Source: Pew Research, Aug. 27- Oct. 4, 2015 PAGE 17

D E M O CRAT S A R E M O R E L I K ELY T H AN R E P UBL ICA NS T O WA N T T H E G O V E R NMENT T O P L AY A M A J O R R O L E I N P R O T ECTI NG T H E E N V I RO NMEN T

Note: DK/No opinion results not shown

75%58%

89%75%

22%

37%

10%21%

3% 5% 1% 3%

US Adults Republicans Democrats Independents

% of U.S. adults saying federal government should play a major, minor, or no role at all in protecting the environment

No role

A minor role

A major role

31 point gap

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A S E C O N OMY H A S R E C O VE RED, E N V I RONME NT I S A H I G H E R P R I O RI TY T H A N E C O N OMI C G R O WTH

33%36% 42%

44%36% 37% 37% 42%

51%53%

43%

54%

49% 48%

41% 42%37%

57%54%

47% 49%53% 52%

55%

49%

42%38%

50%

36%

41%43%

50%

46%

56%

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2015 2016

Environment

Economic growth


Which one of these statements about the environment and the economy do you most agree – protection of the environment should be given priority, even at the risk of curbing economic growth OR economic growth should be given priority, even if the environment suffers to some extent?

PAGE 19

A N D A M E R I CANS T H I NK M O R E N E E DS T O B E D O N E T O A D D R ES S C L I M ATE C H A NGE , E S P E CIA LLY B Y O T H E R C O U NTRI ES

Do you think the United States is doing enough to address climate change, doing too much, or do you think more needs to be done to address climate change?

Do you think other countries are doing enough to address climate change, doing too much, or do you think more needs to be done to address climate change?

Source: Quinnipiac Poll, November 23-30, 2015

21% 17%

57%

10%5%

72%

Doing enough Doing too much More needs to be done

The United States Other countries

Source: CBS/NY Times Poll, Nov 18-22, 2015 PAGE 20

D E M O CRAT S T W I CE A S L I K E LY T H A N R E P UBL ICA NS T O FAV O R A N I N T E RN ATIO NAL T R E ATY T O R E D U CE E M I S SI ONS

Do you think the United States should or should not join an international treaty requiring America to reduce emissions in an effort to fight global warming?

66%

86%

42%

66%

25%

9%

52%

27%

2%

3%

2%

2%

7%

2%

4%

5%

Independents

Democrats

Republicans

All

Should Should not Depends Unsure/No answer

E n e r g y S o u r c e s


M O R E A M E RI CAN S P R I O RITI ZE E N V I RO NMEN TAL P R O TEC TION O V E R E N E R GY D E V EL OPME NT

36%

40% 40%

44%

39%42%

34%

41%

46%

50%

39%

50%47% 46%

40%39%

34%

52% 52%49% 48%

52%49%

58%

50%47%

43%

55%

41%44% 45%

51%

49%

59%

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

With which one of these statements about the environment and energy production do you most agree – [ROTATED: protection of the environment should be given priority, even at the risk of limiting the amount of energy supplies – such as oil, gas, and coal – which the United States produces (or) development of U.S. energy supplies – such as oil, gas, and coal – should be given priority, even if the environment suffers to some extent]?

Note: Equal priority and No opinion results not shown

Environmental protection

Energy development

PAGE 23

A M E R IC ANS C O N S IS TENT LY S U P PORT C O N S ERVATI ON O F E N E R GY O V E R P R O DUC TIO N O F E N E R GY


33% 30% 29% 31% 28%35%

26% 29%36%

41% 40% 36%34% 30%

56%60% 60% 59% 61%

55%

64% 61% 48%48% 51% 51%

57% 60%

2001 2002 2003 2004 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2016

Which of the following approaches to solving the nation’s energy problem do you think the U.S. should follow right now –emphasize production of more oil, gas, and coal supplies or emphasize more conservation by consumers of existing energy supplies?

More energy conservation

More energy production

PAGE 24

A L M O ST 3 I N 4 A M E R I CAN S WA N T T O D E V E L OP A LT ER NATIV E E N E R GY R AT HE R T H A N P R O D UCE M O R E O I L A N D G A S

Which of the following approaches to solving the nation’s energy problems do you think the U.S. should follow right now –emphasize production of more oil, gas, and coal supplies OR emphasize the development of alternative energy such as wind and solar power?

Emphasize production of alternative energy

Emphasize production of oil, gas


66%59% 59%

64%

73%

26%

34% 31% 32%

21%

2011 2012 2013 2014 2016

PAGE 25

B U T S P E N DI NG M O R E O N E L E C TR ICI TY P R O DU CED B Y R E N E WABLE S O U RCE S M A K E S S O M E R E L U CTAN T

In order to help reduce global warming, would you be willing or not willing to pay more for electricity if it were generated by renewable sources like solar or wind energy?

Willing54%

Not willing43%

Unsure/No answer3%

Source: CBS/NY Times Poll, Nov 18-22, 2015


O V E R H A L F O F A M E R I CANS O P P OSE F R A CKI NG A S A WAY O F R E T R IE VIN G N AT URA L G A S A N D O I L , A N I N C R E ASE F R O M L A S T Y E A R

Do you favor hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” as a means of increasing the production of natural gas and oil in the U.S.?

40%36%

40%

51%

19%

13%

2015 2016

Favor

Oppose

No Opinion


A N D A M A J O RI TY O F A M E R I CAN S O P P OS E T H E U S E O F N U C L EAR E N E R GY A S E L E C TRI CI TY S O U RCE

Overall, do you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose the use of nuclear energy as one of the ways to provide electricity for the U.S.?

57%

46%

56% 54% 56%53%

59%

62%

57%57%

53%51%

44%37%

48%

39%43%

38%43%

37%33% 38% 40% 43%

43%

54%

1994 2001 2004 2005 2006 2007 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2015 2016

Total oppose

Total favor

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News & Politics

Public Opinion Landscape