Topics At A Glance: Global Warming

Worry About Specific Environmental Problems

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(Next, I'm going to read a list of problems facing the country. For each one, please tell me if you personally worry about this problem a great deal, a fair amount, only a little, or not at all.) How much do you personally worry about...the quality of the environment?

Gallup Poll, [Mar, 2011]

I'm going to read you a list of environmental problems. As I read each one, please tell me if you personally worry about this problem a great deal, a fair amount, only a little, or not at all. How much do you personally worry about...pollution of rivers, lakes, and reservoirs?

Gallup Poll, [Mar, 2011]

(I'm going to read you a list of environmental problems. As I read each one, please tell me if you personally worry about this problem a great deal, a fair amount, only a little, or not at all.) How much do you personally worry about...air pollution?

Gallup Poll, [Mar, 2011]

Economic Growth vs. Environmental Protection

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(Now let me read you some statements that name of Republican House incumbent might make about the budget and the economy. After I read each statement, please tell me how convincing a reason it is to support name of House incumbent--is it a very convincing reason, a somewhat convincing reason, only a little convincing, or not at all a convincing reason to support them?)...Raising taxes in a fragile economy suffocates businesses. Never in the history of this country has an increase in taxes generated one job. To fix the economy, we need to cut taxes for job-creating businesses and eliminate burdensome regulations that keep businesses from hiring. Let's create an environment for private sector job growth.

Sample: National likely voters in 60 most competitive Republican battleground districts
Democracy Corps Poll, [Sep, 2011]

With which one of these statements about the environment and the economy do you most agree--protection of the environment should be given priority, even at the risk of curbing economic growth or economic growth should be given priority, even if the environment suffers to some extent?

Gallup Poll, [Mar, 2011]

Gallup/USA Today Poll, [May, 2010]

Environment Regulation

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As you may know, new federal regulations are planned that would limit emissions of mercury, sulfur dioxide and other pollutants from power plants. Supporters say these new rules are necessary because these pollutants cause health problems like asthma and lung disease. Opponents say the regulations will raise the price of electricity and hurt the economy. Do you think Congress should block these new rules, or allow them to go into effect?

United Technologies/National Journal Congressional Connection Poll, [Sep, 2011]

As you may know, new federal regulations are also planned that would limit emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases that scientists have linked to global climate change. Supporters say the government must limit these emissions because climate change is damaging the environment. Opponents say the regulations will cost too much and that man-made climate change is an unproven theory. Do you think Congress should block these new rules, or allow them to go into effect?

United Technologies/National Journal Congressional Connection Poll, [Sep, 2011]

Now, which of the following comes closest to your view regarding the proper role of government in the economy?...In the current economic environment, government is not the solution to our economic problems, government is the problem. I would like to see government play an active role in the economy to ensure it benefits people like me, but I am not sure that I can trust government to do this effectively. In the current economic environment, the government must play an active role in regulating the marketplace and ensuring that the economy benefits people like me.

Allstate/National Journal Heartland Monitor Poll, [Sep, 2011]

Environmental Protection vs. Energy Development

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With which one of these statements about the environment and energy production do you most agree--protection of the environment should be given priority, even at the risk of limiting the amount of energy supplies--such as oil, gas and coal--which the United States produces or development of US (United States) energy supplies--such as oil, gas and coal--should be given priority, even if the environment suffers to some extent?

Gallup Poll, [Mar, 2011]

Right now, which do you think should be a higher priority for the government--protecting the environment, or developing new sources of energy?

CBS News/New York Times Poll, [Mar, 2011]

(In making decisions about America's energy policies, how important is it for Congress and the president (Barack Obama) to focus on each of the following goals?) Do you think...protecting the environment from the effects of energy development and use should be a very important, somewhat important, not too important, or not at all important goal of US (United States) energy policy?

Pew Research Center/National Journal Congressional Connection Poll, [Jul, 2010]

Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

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Do you think the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska should or should not be opened up for oil exploration?

Note: Asked of Form A half sample
Gallup Poll, [Mar, 2011]

As far as you know, does Sarah Palin favor or oppose drilling for oil and gas in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska?

Note: Registered voters
Princeton Survey Research Associates International/Newsweek Poll, [Sep, 2008]

Would you favor or oppose allowing oil and gas drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska?

Note: Asked of Form 1 half sample
Pew Research Center for the People & the Press Political/Foreign Policy Poll, [Sep, 2008]

Spending on the Environment

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(Do you believe or not believe the following statements?)...If Congress cuts spending, this will create a better economic environment that will help promote job creation.

Sample: National registered voters
New Models National Brand Poll, [Aug, 2011]

(Now I'm going to read you some more pairs of statements. After I read each pair, please tell me whether the first statement or the second statement comes closer to your own view, even if neither is exactly right.)...First statement: Democrats say: We have to cut spending, but the Republicans have the wrong approach. They make big cuts to education and veterans' benefits while gutting Social Security and Medicare. Our approach is different--we want to measure every government program to see if it's achieving results and eliminate the ones that don't. Then we should eliminate government subsidies to the oil and drug companies and the taxpayer-funded handouts for the wealthiest Americans. Second statement: Republicans say: Spending cuts are necessary to get government spending back to a level we can afford and produce a better environment for creating private sector jobs. While there may be disagreements about particular programs that should be scaled back, we have to stop bankrupting our country and mortgaging our children's future. The Republican plan is a good start on the process, forcing Washington to cut government spending by 100 billion dollars....(If First/Second statement, ask:) (Is that strongly or not strongly?)

%
41		First statement strongly
9		First statement not strongly
9		Second statement not strongly
34		Second statement strongly
*		Both (Vol.)
3		Neither (Vol.)
4		Don't know/Refused

Sample: Likely voters in 50 most competitive Republican battleground districts
Note: Asked of Form A half sample
Democracy Corps Poll, [Mar, 2011]

(Now I'm going to read you some more pairs of statements. After I read each pair, please tell me whether the first statement or the second statement comes closer to your own view, even if neither is exactly right.)...First statement: Democrats say: We need to cut wasteful spending and make government more accountable, but the cuts being proposed by the Republicans are too severe and go too far. Their cuts would destroy hundreds of thousands of American jobs and hurt regular Americans by cutting veterans' benefits, food safety inspectors and assistance for seniors. And it undermines our future by cutting K through 12 education, alternative energy and innovation. Second statement: Republicans say: Spending cuts are necessary to get government spending back to a level we can afford and produce a better environment for creating private sector jobs. While there may be disagreements about particular programs that should be scaled back, we have to stop bankrupting our country and mortgaging our children's future. The Republican plan is a good start on the process, forcing Washington to cut government spending by 100 billion dollars....(If First/Second statement, ask:) (Is that strongly or not strongly?)

%
39		First statement strongly
7		First statement not strongly
9		Second statement not strongly
36		Second statement strongly
2		Both (Vol.)
2		Neither (Vol.)
5		Don't know/Refused

Sample: Likely voters in 50 most competitive Republican battleground districts
Note: Asked of Form B half sample
Democracy Corps Poll, [Mar, 2011]

Global Warming

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(I'd like to ask you about priorities for President (Barack) Obama and Congress this year (2012). As I read from a list, tell me if you think each should be a top priority, important but lower priority, not too important or should it not be done.) Should...dealing with global warming be a top priority, important but lower priority, not too important, or should it not be done?

Note: Asked of Form 2 half sample
Pew Research Center for the People & the Press Political Survey, [Jan, 2012]

In your view, is global warming a very serious problem, somewhat serious, not too serious, or not a problem?

Pew Research Center for the People & the Press/Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life Religion & Politics Survey, [Nov, 2011]

Which of the following statements best reflects your view?...Global warming and climate change are already a big problem and we should be leading the world in solutions. Global warming may or may not be happening. We should let other countries act first while the science sorts itself out. Global warming is not happening.

Civil Society Institute Energy and the 2012 Election Survey, [Oct, 2011]

Drilling Public Lands or Offshore

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As I read some possible government policies to address America's energy supply, tell me whether you would favor or oppose each. Would you favor or oppose the government...allowing more offshore oil and gas drilling in US (United States) waters?

Pew Research Center for the People & the Press Poll, [Nov, 2011]

How high would the price of a gallon of gasoline have to go for you to demand the government increase supply by allowing more domestic oil drilling offshore and in Alaska?

%
6		Less than $3.00
9		$3-3.99
21		$4-4.99
20		$5-5.99
8		$6-6.99
4		$7-9.99
4		$10 or more
7		I wouldn't demand that at any level (Vol.)
12		I already am demanding increased domestic drilling (Vol.)
1		Other (Vol.)
7		Don't know/Refused

Sample: National registered voters
Fox News Poll, [Apr, 2011]

(Now I would like to read you several pairs of statements that might be made by policymakers about energy, and have you tell me, for each pair, which one you agree with more.)...Statement A: Congressman A says we should assist countries like Brazil with technology and support to safely develop oil reserves. By coming one of Brazil's best customers, we will develop a strategic energy partnership and increase secure energy supplies coming into the United States instead of depending on oil from the Middle East. Statement B: Congressman B says we should not send taxpayer dollars to Brazil so they can increase offshore drilling while there is a moratorium on offshore drilling in this country. Instead of becoming more dependent on foreign oil, the United States should develop our own energy supplies and create good paying jobs at home....(If Statement A/B, ask:) Do you strongly agree with that statement or somewhat agree with that statement?

Sample: National registered voters
Resurgent Republic Survey, [Apr, 2011]

From the Archives

(Now, here is a list of some specific things recently discussed that could help to prevent an energy crisis--some involving some risk according to environmentalists, others involving no risk to the environment but requiring people to cut down on the use of energy.)...Relax pollution standards so that fuels which don't meet these standards, like coal, high sulfur oil, etc. can be used...Is this something you think we should start to do now or should not?

Roper Report 73-9, [Sep, 1973]

which do you think is more important: protecting the environment, or promoting economic growth, or are they both equally important?

Los Angeles Times Poll, [Apr, 1983]

Have you ever stopped buying a product specifically because the manufacturer of that product pollutes the environment?

Wirthlin Quorum Survey, [Aug, 1994]