Nearly two-thirds of Americans believe the federal government should do more to combat climate change, and almost as many say the problem is already affecting their community in some way, according to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center.
In addition, the nationwide survey of 11,000 adults conducted from April 29 to May 5 found that 60 percent of Americans consider climate change a “major” threat — up from 44 percent about a decade ago, said Alec Tyson, the Pew Research Center’s associate director for science and society. Pew obtained the views of 11,000 adults between April 29 and May 5.
As The Washington Post’s Brady Dennis reported, the wide difference between the views of Republicans and Democrats remains: “88 percent of Democrats describe climate change as a grave threat, while only 31 percent of Republicans feel the same.”
Dennis wrote that the mounting desire for the federal government to do more “comes, perhaps not surprisingly, as its effects touch more lives in the United States. Seven in 10 Americans who live within 25 miles of a coastline say that climate change is already affecting their community. But even among those who live 300 miles or more from the reach of rising seas, 57 percent of respondents say they have witnessed at least some impacts.”
Opinions about the local impact of climate change vary sharply by party. A large majority of Democrats (83%) say climate change is affecting their local community a great deal or some. That compares to just 37 percent for Republicans. Most Republicans (62%) say climate change is affecting their community not too much or at all.
What action should the federal government take? Should corporations pay a tax based on the amount of carbon emissions they produce? Yes, said 73 percent.
The survey also found that 79 percent of Americans say the more important priority for the country is to develop alternative sources, such as wind and solar; far fewer (20%) say the more important energy priority is to expand the production of oil, coal and natural gas.
On balance, most U.S. adults see a role for government in shifting energy use toward renewables. Almost 60 percent say that government regulations are necessary to encourage businesses and consumers to rely more on renewable energy. Fewer (39%) think the private marketplace will encourage the use of renewable energy, without the need for government intervention.
Consistent with past Pew Research Center surveys, younger Republicans place a higher priority on alternative energy development – and are less supportive of expanding fossil fuel sources – than older Republicans.
The government action that was supported by the largest percentage of respondents (90%) was planting a trillion trees to absorb carbon dioxide. The Trump administration also supports that initiative, championed by the World Economic Forum.
In addition, 84 percent of U.S. adults support enactment of a business tax credit for carbon capture technology that can store carbon emissions before they enter the atmosphere. Democrats (90%) and Republicans (78%) back this proposal, which House Republicans rolled out earlier this year.
Pew offered respondents two other options for government action, and both earned majority support. Most Americans favor tougher restrictions on power plant emissions (80%) and tougher fuel-efficiency standards for automobiles and trucks (71%).