Memo: Voters Support Ambitious Climate and Clean Energy Investments
By Danielle Deiseroth Senior Climate Data Analyst, Data for Progress
Key Findings
Voters are growing more concerned about the impacts of unemployment, air and water pollution, extreme weather, and climate change on their communities
83 percent of voters are concerned that future generations will be more impacted by extreme weather events in their lifetimes compared to today
Voters are more likely to consider taking personal actions to address climate change such as purchasing electric vehicles and appliances if the federal government creates new programs to lower consumer costs for these purchases
Over two-thirds of voters (71 percent) support the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework supported by Democrats and Republicans in Congress
Three-quarters of voters (75 percent) think it is important for lawmakers to make investments to address climate change and transition to clean energy in addition to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework’s investments in physical infrastructure
A majority of voters support the key climate and clean energy provisions excluded from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework but under consideration for a budget reconciliation proposal
Voters are more concerned about Republicans denying the extent of climate change and preventing action than Democrats exaggerating the problem and pushing big and unnecessary government programs to address climate change
A majority of voters (53 percent) think Democrats in Congress should use their majority to make investments in climate and clean energy, even if no Republicans in Congress will vote for them
Nearly two-thirds of voters (63 percent) support a government investment to accelerate the production and adoption of electric vehicles
Voters find messaging in favor of federal investments in electric vehicles more convincing than an attack claiming the investments would be a “Tesla tax cut” for the rich
