April 09, 2007

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in the United States have a clear idea of which environmental policies their federal administration should pursue, according to a poll by Gallup released by USA Today. 86 per cent of respondents support spending government money to develop alternate sources of fuel for automobiles.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in the United States have a clear idea of which environmental policies their federal administration should pursue, according to a poll by Gallup released by USA Today. 86 per cent of respondents support spending government money to develop alternate sources of fuel for automobiles.

Setting higher emissions and pollution standards for business and industry is second on the list with 84 per cent, followed by more strongly enforcing federal environmental regulations with 82 per cent, and spending more government money on developing solar and wind power with 81 per cent.

In addition, 79 per cent of respondents want to both set higher emissions standards for automobiles and impose mandatory controls on the emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Support for expanding the use of nuclear energy and opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil exploration stands at 50 per cent and 41 per cent respectively.

In March, U.S. president George W. Bush discussed his views on energy production, saying, "I'm looking forward to working with Congress. (...) They need to pass meaningful energy legislation as soon as possible, all aiming at making sure that we promote technologies that, for the sake of our national security and for the sake of good environmental policy, we reduce the usage of gasoline. The goal I laid out of reducing gasoline by 20 per cent over 10 years is a realistic goal. In other words, this isn't a pipe dream; this is something that our nation can accomplish."

Polling Data

Next, I am going to read some specific environmental proposals. For each one, please say whether you generally favour or oppose it.

	Favour	Oppose
Spending government money to develop alternate sources of fuel for automobiles	86%	12%
Setting higher emissions and pollution standards for business and industry	84%	15%
More strongly enforcing federal environmental regulations	82%	15%
Spending more government money on developing solar and wind power	81%	17%
Setting higher auto emissions standards for automobiles	79%	18%
Imposing mandatory controls on carbon dioxide emissions / other greenhouse gases	79%	19%
Expanding the use of nuclear energy	50%	46%
Opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil exploration	41%	57%

Source: Gallup / USA Today
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,009 American adults, conducted from Mar. 11 to Mar. 14, 2007. Margin of error is 3 per cent.