80%+ Americans support pollution limits, renewable energy

Blog: Voters believe earth getting warmer but split on treaty

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By Steve Bennish, Staff Writer Updated 4:00 PM Wednesday, December 23, 2009

A new poll released Wednesday, Dec. 23, by National Wildlife Federation says the majority of Americans — more than 80 percent — support action to limit carbon pollution and move the U.S. toward renewable energy and the new industries and jobs it could create.

The poll also chilled hopes among climate change skeptics that controversial e-mails sent by British scientists had any impact on overall opinions.

The poll interviewed 1,000 nationwide either in person or by phone. The margin of error is 3.1 percent. It was conducted by the Benenson Strategy Group Dec. 12-15 using random digit dialing.

The findings:

American voters show a strong desire for the U.S. to transition toward a low-carbon economy, with strong support among independents, the Federation said. Eighty-two percent voters and 80 percent of independents support the U.S. government increasing investment in clean energy sources.
67 percent of voters and 67 percent of independents support the U.S. government limiting carbon pollution and other gases that may cause global warming.
Most Americans believe global warming is happening, though there is a strong partisan divide. Among Democrats: 91 percent believe global warming is happening, 8 percent do not. Among independents: 64 percent believe, 32 percent do not. Among Republicans: 43 percent believe, 54 percent do not.

“The American people can’t be more clear when it comes to solving global warming: they want the U.S. to be Rudolph out in front of the sleigh, leading the world toward a clean energy future,” said Jeremy Symons, senior vice president of the Federation.

“There is overwhelming public support for the Senate to pass legislation with firm limits on carbon pollution that will stimulate massive new investments in clean energy technologies.”

The recent controversy surrounding stolen emails sent by British scientists seems to have had little impact.

Among those who said they had read or seen something about the stolen e-mails, 53 percent said it did not affect their view at all. The remainder was largely split — 26 percent said it made them less likely to support the U.S. taking action to reduce global warming while 20 percent said it made them more likely to support action.

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