Wednesday, August 17, 2022
The Green Market Oracle
  • Climate Change
    • Greenhouse Gas Emissions
    • Biodiversity
    • Wildfires
    • Extreme Weather
  • Energy
    • Renewables
    • Nuclear Power
    • Fossil Fuels
  • Politics
    • American Politics
    • Canadian Politics
    • International Politics
  • Social Change
    • Activism
    • Disinformation
    • Education
    • Psychology
    • Gender Equality
  • Business and Economics
    • Leadership
    • Decarbonization
    • Economics
    • Supply Chains
    • Investing
  • Technology
    • Carbon Removal
    • Carbon Capture
    • Transportation
    • Buildings
    • Food
No Result
View All Result
  • Climate Change
    • Greenhouse Gas Emissions
    • Biodiversity
    • Wildfires
    • Extreme Weather
  • Energy
    • Renewables
    • Nuclear Power
    • Fossil Fuels
  • Politics
    • American Politics
    • Canadian Politics
    • International Politics
  • Social Change
    • Activism
    • Disinformation
    • Education
    • Psychology
    • Gender Equality
  • Business and Economics
    • Leadership
    • Decarbonization
    • Economics
    • Supply Chains
    • Investing
  • Technology
    • Carbon Removal
    • Carbon Capture
    • Transportation
    • Buildings
    • Food
No Result
View All Result
The Green Market Oracle
No Result
View All Result
Home Other

Environmental Gap Narrowing Between Dems and GOP

by Richard Matthews
May 24, 2012
in Other
0

The majority of Americans think that protecting the environment both fosters growth and creates new jobs while less than 20 percent think that environmental protection hurts the economy and job growth. Although Democrats tend to be ardent supporters of the green economy, there is evidence that more Republicans see the economic benefits of going green. This data has important implications for the choices Americans will be making between Democrats and Republicans this fall.

As reported in a Triple Pundit article, these results are from a recently released poll by Yale University and George Mason University’s climate change communication program. The survey indicated that 58 percent of Americans think that protecting the environment improves economic growth and creates new jobs and only 17 percent said that environmental protection hurts the economy and job growth (25 percent think there is no effect).

When people are asked to decide between protecting the environment and improving the economy, 62 percent of Americans said that they think it is more important to protect the environment while only 38 percent thought economic growth is more important.

The study indicates that when it comes to support for the green economy the gap between Republicans and Democrats is getting smaller. More than 9 out of 10 Democrats and 7 in 10 Republicans said that protecting the environment either improves economic growth and provides new jobs, or has no effect.

According to the poll, Americans want to see more clean energy with 92 percent indicating that developing clean energy sources should be a priority for the President and the Congress. Even Republicans share this view as indicated by the fact that 84 percent of Republicans agreed that this should be a medium to high priority.

The survey suggests that Americans want to address global warming. More than two-thirds of respondents (68 percent) said they think that the US should make either a large-scale or medium-scale effort to reduce global warming. What is most interesting is the fact that Americans want action on global warming “even if it would have large or moderate economic costs.”

To help develop renewable sources of energy, almost 80 percent of respondents indicated they also support R&D for developing renewable energy sources, (including 74 percent of Republicans).

However, Solyndra debacle may have cast a shadow over some Americans perception of renewable energy. According to this poll opposition to renewable energy research more than doubled from eight percent in 2008 to 21 percent in 2012.

A total of 63 percent of Americans support a renewable portfolio standard requiring utilities to produce at least 20 percent of their electricity from renewable sources, even if household costs increase by $100 a year.

However when it comes to strong support for a renewable portfolio standard the difference between Republicans and Democrats becomes apparent. A total of 65 percent of Democrats support this policy, but only 47 percent of Republicans support it.

This study also addressed American attitudes on the fossil fuel industry with more than half of respondents (61 percent) indicating they support holding the fossil fuel industry responsible for “all the hidden costs we pay for citizens who get sick from polluted air and water, military costs to maintain our access to foreign oil, and the environmental costs of spills and accidents.” Here too we see the difference between Republicans and Democrats with 68 percent of Democrats favoring it, but only 54 of Republicans in favor of the policy.

When it comes to the environment Republicans may not be as enlightened as Democrats but increasingly we are seeing a trend that pits Republican voters against the platform of their presidential hopeful.

© 2012, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

Related Posts 
The US is More Accepting of the Science of Climate Change
Earth Day Poll: Environment is Important

US Wants Government Action on the Environment


US Environmental Attitudes 2007 – 2012


The World “Connects the Dots” Between Extreme Weather and Climate Change


2011 Study on US Environmental Attitudes and Beliefs

A 2011 Survey Shows that Americans Believe that Addressing Global Warming Should be a Priority
MIT Survey Shows More Businesses are Embracing Sustainability and Turning a Profit
Global Survey on Sustainability

Businesses are Combating Climate Change

2011 Survey of America’s Greenest Brands Shows that Redemption is Possible
Environmental Gap Narrowing Between Dems and GOP
Republicans Deny Facts on Climate Change

Americans are Less Green this Earth Day

Belief in Global Warming is Tied to the Economy
Why Green Remains Viable Even in an Economic Downturn

Green Bubble?


The GfK MRI Survey of the American Consumer™


Consumers Skeptical of Environmental Claims

2010 Survey Reveals Consumers Embracing Greener Products and Services
People Want Fuel Efficient Vehicles
Electric and Hybrid Vehicles: Changing Perceptions

Americans Want Cars to get 60 MPG

2011 Survey Shows China More Receptive to EVs than Americans
Corporate Sustainability Experts Want a Tax on Carbon

CSR Standards Reduce Risk


AASHE Survey of Sustainability Positions

Women are More Environmentally Friendly
Veterans Support Clean Energy

ShareTweetShare
Previous Post

State of Green Business Report 2012

Next Post

Corporate Sustainability Experts Want a Tax on GHGs

Related Posts

Seasons Greetings from the Green Market Oracle

by Richard Matthews
December 24, 2021
0

American Courts are Defending Democracy and the Environment

by Richard Matthews
December 14, 2020
0

Despite unprecedented challenges, America's legal system has held. In recent weeks the courts have repeatedly defended democracy and in the last four years they have overturned a wide range of environmental...

Environmental Plebiscites: Municipal Referendums and State Ballot Initiatives

by Richard Matthews
November 12, 2020
0

The November 3rd election not only elected an environmentally responsible president it also gave Americans a chance to vote on environmental issues in five state ballots and two city referendums. Americans ...

Next Post

Corporate Sustainability Experts Want a Tax on GHGs

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • SoundCloud

Subscribe to the Blog

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

time is running out and climate change is driving extreme global heat waves
Climate Change

How Many Heat Waves Will it Take for us to Act on Climate Change?

by Richard Matthews
August 8, 2022
0

Despite steady increases in global temperatures and years of ever more deadly heat waves, we are not doing anywhere near...

Read more

Nuclear Power Versus Renewable Energy

July 20, 2022

Nuclear Energy Versus Fossil Fuels

July 5, 2022
different types of economic systems assessed by sustainable development goals

Types of Economies and their Implications for Sustainability

June 28, 2022
The facts about Nuclear Energy reveal that it is safe and clean but it is not renewable

Fact Check Reveals Nuclear Energy is Safe and Clean but not Renewable

June 13, 2022
  • About
  • Climate Change
  • Energy
  • Business and Economics
  • Politics
  • Technology
  • Social Change
  • Events
  • Other

© 2021 Copyright The Green Market Oracle.

No Result
View All Result
  • Business and Economics
    • Leadership
    • Supply Chains
  • Economics
  • Energy
    • Renewables
    • Nuclear Power
    • Fossil Fuels
  • Climate Change
    • Greenhouse Gas Emissions
    • Biodiversity
    • Extreme Weather
    • Wildfires
  • Investing
  • Politics
    • American Politics
    • Canadian Politics
    • International Politics
  • Technology
    • Buildings
    • Carbon Capture
    • Food
    • Transportation
  • Social Change
    • Education
    • Activism
    • Psychology

© 2021 Copyright The Green Market Oracle.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In