Majorities of Americans Prioritize Renewable Energy, Back Steps to Address Climate Change
Majorities of Americans Prioritize Renewable Energy, Back Steps to ... Pew Research Center
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Americans’ Views on Climate, Energy, and Environmental Issues
Introduction
A new Pew Research Center survey conducted from May 30 to June 4, 2023, explores Americans’ views on climate change, energy, and environmental issues. The survey aims to understand public attitudes towards the transition to renewable energy sources and the steps needed to address climate change. The findings highlight both support for renewable energy and concerns about making significant changes to American life. The survey also examines the differences in views between Republicans and Democrats on these issues.
Methodology
The survey included 10,329 U.S. adults who are members of the Pew Research Center’s American Trends Panel (ATP). The panel is recruited through national, random sampling of residential addresses, ensuring representation of nearly all U.S. adults. The survey data is weighted to be representative of the U.S. adult population by various demographic categories.
Main Findings
Support for Climate Change Efforts and Renewable Energy
- 74% of Americans support the country’s participation in international efforts to reduce the effects of climate change.
- 67% of U.S. adults prioritize the development of alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydrogen power over increasing the production of fossil fuel energy sources.
Specific Policy Proposals to Address Climate Change
- Large majorities support planting about a trillion trees to absorb carbon emissions (89%) and requiring oil and gas companies to seal methane gas leaks from oil wells (85%).
- 76% favor providing a tax credit to businesses that develop carbon capture technologies, and 70% support taxing corporations based on their carbon emissions.
- 61% favor requiring power plants to eliminate all carbon emissions by 2040.
Reluctance to Make Sweeping Changes
Despite support for renewable energy and climate policies, there are limits to public support for major changes:
- Only 31% of Americans support phasing out the use of fossil fuel energy sources altogether.
- Less than half of the public (40%) favors phasing out the production of gas-powered cars and trucks.
- Slightly more Americans oppose (51%) than favor (46%) requiring most new buildings to run only on electricity, with no gas lines.
Differences between Republicans and Democrats
Republicans and Democrats have differing views on climate and energy issues:
Republicans:
- 73% would be upset if gas-powered vehicles were phased out.
- 58% prioritize expanding oil, coal, and natural gas production.
- 67% favor a business tax credit for developing carbon capture technologies.
- 70% support more solar panel farms and 60% favor more wind farms.
Democrats:
- 94% support U.S. participation in international efforts to reduce the effects of climate change.
- 90% prioritize renewable energy sources over fossil fuels.
- 80% expect a major transition to renewable energy would improve air and water quality.
- 61% of liberals are ready to phase out the use of fossil fuels altogether and 76% support ending gas-vehicle production.
Government Role in Addressing Extreme Weather
Americans express openness to government policies for communities at high risk of extreme weather:
- 54% say it’s a good idea for the federal government to limit new construction in high-risk areas.
- 53% think it’s a good idea for the federal government to provide financial assistance to help communities rebuild after extreme weather events.
- 47% say it’s a good idea for the federal government to provide financial assistance for communities to relocate from high-risk areas.
- 29% support the federal government requiring communities to relocate from high-risk areas.
Views on Biden’s Climate Agenda
45% of Americans believe the Biden administration’s policies on climate change are taking the country in the right direction, while 50% think they are heading in the wrong direction. There is a sharp partisan divide, with 76% of Democrats supporting Biden’s climate policies and 82% of Republicans opposing them.
Support for Addressing Environmental Disparities
Most Americans (75%) believe the federal government should play a major or minor role in addressing differences in health risks from pollution and environmental problems across communities.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
SDGs Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 15: Life on Land
Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Based on the Article’s Content
- SDG 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
- SDG 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable.
- SDG 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities.
- SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
- SDG 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests.
Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article
- Percentage of Americans who support renewable energy sources like wind and solar (related to SDG 7.2).
- Percentage of Americans who prioritize the development of alternative energy sources over fossil fuel energy sources (related to SDG 7.2).
- Percentage of Americans who support specific policy proposals aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and carbon in the atmosphere (related to SDG 13.2).
- Percentage of Americans who support planting trees to absorb carbon emissions and requiring oil and gas companies to seal methane gas leaks (related to SDG 13.2).
- Percentage of Americans who support providing a tax credit to businesses that develop carbon capture technologies and taxing corporations based on their carbon emissions (related to SDG 13.2).
- Percentage of Americans who favor requiring power plants to eliminate all carbon emissions by 2040 (related to SDG 13.2).
- Percentage of Americans who support limiting new construction in communities at high risk of extreme weather and providing financial assistance to help communities rebuild after extreme weather events (related to SDG 11.6).
- Percentage of Americans who support providing financial assistance for communities to relocate from areas at high risk of extreme weather (related to SDG 11.6).
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. | – Percentage of Americans who support renewable energy sources like wind and solar. – Percentage of Americans who prioritize the development of alternative energy sources over fossil fuel energy sources. |
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable. | – Percentage of Americans who support specific policy proposals aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and carbon in the atmosphere. – Percentage of Americans who support providing a tax credit to businesses that develop carbon capture technologies and taxing corporations based on their carbon emissions. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities. | – Percentage of Americans who support limiting new construction in communities at high risk of extreme weather. – Percentage of Americans who support providing financial assistance to help communities rebuild after extreme weather events. – Percentage of Americans who support providing financial assistance for communities to relocate from areas at high risk of extreme weather. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning. | – Percentage of Americans who support planting trees to absorb carbon emissions and requiring oil and gas companies to seal methane gas leaks. – Percentage of Americans who favor requiring power plants to eliminate all carbon emissions by 2040. |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests. | N/A |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: pewresearch.org
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