40% Say Higher Gas Prices Bigger Problem Than Climate Change; 29% Take Opposite View

Posted on December 6, 2021 | by Staff Writer

Forty percent (40%) of voters believe that rising gas prices are a bigger problem than climate change. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 29% take the opposite view and see climate change as the bigger problem. Twenty-eight percent (28%) are equally concerned about both and 3% are not sure.

Most Republicans (60%) see rising gas prices as the bigger problem. A plurality of Democrats (44%) are more worried about climate change. Among Independent voters, 37% cite rising gas prices as their top concern while 27% say climate change.

The survey also found that 33% believe inflation is a bigger problem than COVID while 26% say COVID is a bigger problem. A plurality of voters (36%) see them as equally important.

SIGN UP to receive Scott’s free email newsletter.

CHECK OUT Scott’s latest polls.

Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Question 1:

Which is the bigger problem facing America today: COVID or inflation?

26% COVID

33% Inflation

36% Both equal

5% Not sure

Question 2:

Okay, which of the following is a bigger problem: rising gas prices or climate change?

40% Rising gas prices

29% Climate change

28% Both equal

3% Not sure

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on November 29-30, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

On Environmental Policy, 36% Say U.S. is a Good Role Model for the World to Follow; 40% Disagree

Posted on October 29, 2021 | by Staff Writer

When it comes to environmental policies, 36% of voters believe the United States a good role model for the rest of the world to follow. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 40% disagree and 24% are not sure.

Forty-two percent (42%) of Democrats believe the U.S. is a good role model along with 40% of Republicans. Just 27% of Independent voters agree.

SIGN UP to receive Scott’s free email newsletter.

CHECK OUT Scott’s latest polls.

Question:

Generally speaking, when it comes to environmental policies, is the United States a good role model for the rest of the world to follow?

36% Yes

40% No

24% Not sure

Methodology

The survey of 1,000 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on October 21-23, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

42% Believe Human Behavior Can Stop Climate Change

Posted on September 11, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

Forty-two percent (42%) of voters believe human behavior can stop climate change. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 33% of voters disagree and 25% are not sure.

Sixty-six percent (66%) of Democrats believe climate change can be stopped by human behavior. Just 36% of Independents and 23% of Republicans agree.

Most voters under 45 believe climate change can be stopped by changing human behavior. Older voters are less certain.

The survey also found that 80% of voters recognize that “The earth’s climate has been changing throughout history. There are historical cycles of cooling and warming.” This knowledge, however, has not prevented concerns that this time something might be different.

Still, concerns about climate change has not developed into support for major Green New Deal initiatives. One proposal included in the Democrats’ “reconciliation” plan would lead to creation of a federal Climate Climate Corps. Among other things, that proposal would hire at least 750,000 environmental activists to visit people’s homes and conduct energy audits. Most voters oppose that plan.

Overall, only 38% of voters who have heard of the Green New Deal think it is even somewhat likely to stop climate change. A larger number (49%) think it is at least somewhat likely to destroy the economy. Additionally, most believe that the Green New Deal will increase energy costs and reduce America’s energy independence.

A recent Vox article suggested “It’s time to rethink air conditioning.” Presenting air conditioning as a major environmental threat, the article suggested phasing out private air conditioning in homes and provide community cooling spaces as well. Just 22% of voters even somewhat favor such an approach.

SIGN UP to receive Scott’s free email newsletter.

CHECK OUT Scott’s latest polls.

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from September 2-5, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 151 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

The margin of sampling error for the full sample is +/- 2.8 percentage points.

22% Favor Proposal to End Private Home Air Conditioning; 68% Oppose

Posted on September 10, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

A recent Vox article suggested “It’s time to rethink air conditioning.” Presenting air conditioning as a major environmental threat, it suggested phasing out private air conditioning in homes and provide community cooling spaces as well.

Twenty-two percent (22%) of voters at least somewhat favor such an approach. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 68% are opposed.

The totals include 10% who Strongly Favor the idea and 56% who are Strongly Opposed.

Among voters who prefer policies like those of Senator Bernie Sanders, 44% favor the elimination of private air conditioning.

SIGN UP to receive Scott’s free email newsletter.

CHECK OUT Scott’s latest polls.

Methodology

The margin of sampling error for the full sample is +/- 2.8 percentage points.

52% Oppose Climate Conservation Corps Energy Audits; 31% Like the Idea

Posted on September 8, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

One Green New Deal related proposal in the Democrats’ proposed reconciliation spending bill is a plan for the federal government to hire 750,000 workers who would visit people’s homes to conduct an energy audit. When initially asked about that plan, a Scott Rasmussen national survey found 37% of voters at least somewhat favor the idea and 48% are at least somewhat opposed,

However, the plan does not call for the federal government to directly employ workers who would conduct the energy audits, Instead, the legislative proposal would provide funding for groups of environmental activists to hire people. Just 31% favor that idea and 52% are opposed.

Those totals include 13% who Strongly Favor the idea and 37% who are Strongly Opposed. Opposition to the plan is somewhat stronger among those most motivated to vote in the midterm elections.

Forty-nine percent (49%) of urban voters favor the hiring plan for energy audits. Just 27% of suburban voters share that view along with only 22% of rural voters.

Earlier this year, the Biden Administration proposed a door-to-door campaign to convince the unvaccinated to get the COVID vaccine. That, too, was unpopular with voters–especially the target audience.

In both cases, a majority of Democrats supported the door-to-door outreach. But Republicans and Independents opposed it. When it comes to the Climate Conservation Corps plan for paying 750,000 people to conduct home energy audits, 58% of Democrats favor the idea. Just 19% of Independents and 14% of Republicans agree.

Looked at from the opposite perspective, 78% of Republicans oppose the plan. So do 53% of Independents. Among Democrats, 26% are opposed.

These numbers provide yet another example of similarities between the Biden Administration today and the Carter Administration of the 1970s. It appears as if Democrats see these 750,000 workers as helping ordinary Americans. Republicans and Independent voters connect more with President Reagan’s view: “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the Government, and I’m here to help.”

SIGN UP to receive Scott’s free email newsletter.

CHECK OUT Scott’s latest polls.

Methodology

The margin of sampling error for the full sample is +/- 2.8 percentage points.

34% Believe Strict Gov’t Mandates on Lifestyle and Energy Use Needed to Save the Planet; 57% Disagree

Posted on September 7, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

Thirty-four percent (34%) of voters agree that “The only way to save the planet is for the government to impose strict mandates and regulations on the way people live and the amount of energy they use.” A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 57% disagree and 10% are not sure.

The totals include 12% who Strongly Agree that strict government rules are needed to save the planet and 41% who Strongly Disagree.

Sixty-two percent (62%) of Democrats agree on the need for strict mandates and government regulations. However, 78% of Republicans and 62% of Independent voters take the opposite view.

Most voters with a postgraduate degree (55%) agree that, to save the planet, there is a need for strict government rules on lifestyles and energy use. Only 38% of those with a high level of formal education think the planet can be saved without heavy regulation.

However, the numbers are dramatically reversed among voters without a postgraduate degree. Just 30% of such voters believe government mandates on lifestyles and energy use are needed to save the planet. Sixty-one percent (61%) reject that view.

SIGN UP to receive Scott’s free email newsletter.

CHECK OUT Scott’s latest polls.

Methodology

The margin of sampling error for the full sample is +/- 2.8 percentage points.

50% Count on Private Sector Innovation to Address Climate Change; 27% Think Government Regulation Is The Better Approach

Posted on August 14, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

Fifty percent (50%) of voters believe private sector innovation and new technology is more likely to reduce the impact of climate change than strict government regulation of energy use. A Scott Rasmussen survey found that 27% hold the opposite view and 24% are not sure.

Republicans strongly believe that the private sector will provide the needed solutions. Democrats are evenly divided.

In every measured demographic group, more voters place their faith in innovation and technology rather than government regulations. However, those who prefer policies like those of Senator Bernie Sanders are nearly evenly divided.

SIGN UP to receive Scott’s free email newsletter.

CHECK OUT Scott’s latest polls.

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen from August 4-9, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

Most Believe Green New Deal Will Increase Energy Costs and Reduce America’s Energy Independence

Posted on August 14, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

Among voters who have heard of the Green New Deal, 63% think it will lead to higher electricity and gasoline prices. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that just 17% think higher costs are unlikely and 19% are not sure.

Those totals include 37% who say higher energy costs are Very Likely and 5% who say Not at All Likely.

Also, 53% believe the Green New Deal will end American energy independence and force our nation to rely upon other countries to supply our energy needs. Twenty-nine percent (29%) consider that unlikely and 17% are not sure.

Those totals include 29% who say the loss of energy independence is Very Likely and 12% who say Not at All Likely.

Not surprisingly, Republicans are more skeptical of the Green New Deal’s impact than Democrats. Still, though, a majority of Democrats think the Green New Deal will lead to higher energy prices. And, those in President Biden’s party are evenly divided as to whether or not those policies will end America’s energy independence.

SIGN UP to receive Scott’s free email newsletter.

CHECK OUT Scott’s latest polls.

Methodology

Voters Think Green New Deal More Likely to Destroy Economy Than End Climate Change

Posted on July 27, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

The Green New Deal is a hot topic in official Washington, but more than a third of all voters have either never heard of it (24%) or don’t know enough to have an opinion about it.

Overall, a Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 35% of voters have a favorable opinion of the concept while 30% have an unfavorable view. Those totals include 15% with a Very Favorable opinion of the Green New Deal and 22% with a Very Unfavorable view.

Among those who have heard of the legislative concept, 49% believe it’s at least somewhat likely to destroy the U.S. economy. Thirty-seven percent (37%) disagree and 13% are not sure.

Only 38% think the plan is even somewhat likely to stop climate change. Forty-nine percent (49%) say it is unlikely to achieve that goal.

SIGN UP to receive Scott’s free email newsletter.

CHECK OUT Scott’s latest polls.

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from July 22-24, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 271were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.