By the Numbers: Politics and Global Warming

On May 8, the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication released a new report, Politics & Global Warming. Among the findings – according to a nationally representative survey of registered voters taken in March – more Republicans are convinced that global warming is a result of human activity, and, therefore, are more supportive of climate policies.

After each response below, we break the percentages down into how the three political categories responded – Democrat (D), Independent (I) and Republican (R). In the interest of saving space, we’ll refer to them by initial.

11

The percentage of respondents who believe the U.S. should use more oil. The political breakdown is 7 percent D, 16 percent I and 16 percent R in support.

12

The percentage of respondents who believe the U.S. should burn more coal. The political breakdown is 6 percent D, 14 percent I and 18 percent R in support.

15

The ranking of global warming as a campaign issue among all respondents. However, it ranked fourth among liberal Democrats.

18

The percentage of respondents who think protecting the environment reduces growth and jobs (that includes 38 percent of conservative Republicans).

38

The percentage of respondents who say a candidate’s position on global warming will be very important in the 2018 Congressional elections.

45

The percentage of respondents who support drilling and mining for coal, oil and natural gas on public land. The political breakdown is 27 percent D, 35 percent I and 69 percent R in support.

59

The percentage of respondents who think protecting the environment improves economic growth and provides new jobs.

71

Percentage of respondents who would require fossil fuel companies to pay a carbon tax, with the money to be used to reduce the public’s tax burden. The political breakdown is 84 percent D, 68 percent I and 56 percent R in support.

73

The percentage of respondents who believe the U.S. should use more wind energy. The political breakdown is 82 percent D, 75 percent I and 62 percent R in support.

77

The percentage of respondents who support continued U.S. participation in the Paris Climate Agreement. The political breakdown is 92 percent D, 75 percent I and 60 percent R in support.

80

The percentage of respondents who believe the U.S. should use more solar energy. The political breakdown is 84 percent D, 80 percent I and 75 percent R in support.

81

The percentage of respondents who support regulating carbon dioxide as a pollutant. The political breakdown is 91 percent D, 80 percent I and 69 percent R in support.

85

Percentage who support providing tax rebates to people who purchase energy-efficient vehicles or solar panels:  91 percent D, 82 percent I, 77 percent R.

87

Percentage of survey respondents who want to see more funding for renewable energy research:   94 percent D, 83 percent I, 79 percent R.

Source:  climatecommunication.yale.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Global-Warming-Policy-Politics-March-2018.pdf