Data Urges Republicans to Move Swiftly in Crafting Alternative Proposal
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: [email protected]
WASHINGTON D.C. — February 28, 2019 — Today, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions Forum (CRES Forum) released the results of a national survey that found strong support among likely voters for congressional Republicans to develop a substantive, alternative proposal to the Green New Deal. Commissioned by CRES Forum and fielded by WPA Intelligence, the survey results indicated increased concern about climate change, growing support for clean energy solutions that reduce emissions, and there is soft national awareness of the Green New Deal.
“This survey demonstrates not only an urgent opportunity, but heightened political value for Republicans to present conservative, market-based clean energy solutions as an alternative to the unrealistic and politically unfeasible promises included in the Green New Deal,” said CRES Forum Executive Director Heather Reams. “American voters support alignment of federal policies that achieve rapid reductions in emissions while also bolstering our country’s economy. Republican policymakers have a green light to command the attention of voters across the political spectrum by moving swiftly to craft solutions that are realistic in alleviating concerns for our changing climate. Embracing all clean energy technologies and understanding the benefit of investing in policies that reduce emissions moves voters to action and preserves our nation’s energy dominance today and for generations to come.”
“These survey results indicate that significant majorities of voters across key demographic breaks and political partisanship agree Republicans in Congress should offer their own set of conservative solutions to reduce carbon emissions,” said WPAi Chief Strategy Officer Ashlee Rich Stephenson. “As voters acknowledge that clean energy sources have a positive impact on our job market, they also support market-driven solutions versus government mandates. This survey reports that Republicans have an urgent and politically opportune opening to communicate with conservative, moderate, and independent voters on an issue set that is both growing in awareness and concern.”
A memorandum summarizing the poll’s findings can be viewed here. Key findings include:
- A majority agree Republicans in Congress should present solutions to reduce carbon emissions. Seven in ten likely voters (70%) agree Republicans in Congress should present their own set of solutions to reduce carbon emissions. At equal levels, Republicans (68%), Independents (69%) and Democrats (73%) are in agreement that GOP members of Congress should present their own plan. This is further bolstered by Republican women (72%) and Independent women (70%).
- Views on climate evolving, strong majorities believe human impact has an effect. Voters are split on whether their views on climate change have adjusted over the past few years. Half (48%) say their personal views have evolved a lot (25%) or just some (23%). Another half (52%) report no change (25%) or not too much change (26%) in their views. Nearly eight out of ten voters (78%) think human impact causes climate change. Twenty percent (20%) do not think human impact has an effect, and just two percent (2%) are unsure.
- Voters support government action on emissions, prefer free market approach and embrace economic benefits for the use of clean energy. Nearly three quarters of all voters (73%) support the federal government passing legislation that would reduce the emissions of gases like carbon dioxide and methane that impact global climate change. Seven in ten (67%) prefer government legislation that incentivizes the market to accelerate clean energy versus a comprehensive program that is ran by the government (17%). Another sixteen percent (16%) are unsure. Another seven out of ten (70%) agree that increasing our use of clean and renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, will create jobs and encourage economic development.
- National awareness of the Green New Deal is soft, but favorable among those with an opinion. Two in five likely voters (41%) have seen, read or heard a lot (17%) or just some (24%) about the Green New Deal. In contrast, a majority of nearly six out of ten (57%) have not heard much (26%) or have heard nothing at all (31%) about the Democratic proposed plan to address climate change. Among voters who have heard either a lot or just some about the Green New Deal, more than half currently have a favorable impression of it (54%). In contrast, forty-three percent (43%) have an unfavorable opinion. Just two percent (2%) are unsure.
- Green New Deal impacting the perceived importance of climate change. Nearly equal numbers of voters think the Green New Deal has made climate change more important (42%) or has had no difference in their view of the issue (39%). These figures outpace by a two-to-one margin those who say the Green New Deal has made climate change less important (18%).
To speak with a representative from CRES Forum and/or WPA Intelligence regarding the survey results, please contact [email protected].
METHODOLOGY
WPA Intelligence is a leading Republican polling and predictive analytics firm. This national study was conducted on behalf of CRES Forum from February 15-18, 2019. This survey was fielded among n=1,041 likely voters nationwide and has a margin of error of + 3.1%. Interviews were collected through online research via a random sample of likely voters. The sample was stratified based on gender, age, ethnicity and geography.
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Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) Forum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to educating the public and influencing the national conversation about actionable, free-market, responsible clean energy solutions. Learn more at www.cresforum.org.