Politics & Global Warming

A March 2021 survey of 922 registered U.S. voters reveals broad support for clean energy development and conservation policies, though significant political polarization persists regarding the urgency of global warming and the role of government. While majorities support tax rebates for energy-efficient vehicles and renewable energy research, views on carbon taxes and national emergency declarations are more divided. The report also highlights a general preference for combined government and individual action, with a specific demand for increased corporate responsibility.

• A majority of registered voters view clean energy and global warming as significant government priorities, with 60% stating that developing clean energy sources should be a high or very high priority for the president and Congress, and 52% saying the same for global warming.
• There is strong cross-partisan support for several clean energy and conservation policies, including tax rebates for energy-efficient vehicles or solar panels (78%), renewable energy research funding (76%), and the re-establishment of the Civilian Conservation Corps (82%).
• Registered voters are divided on the economic impact of clean energy policies; 49% believe they will improve economic growth and create jobs, while 35% believe they will reduce growth and cost jobs.
• A majority of registered voters (56%) support the U.S. president declaring global warming a national emergency if Congress fails to act, though this is heavily polarized, with 91% support among liberal Democrats and only 14% among conservative Republicans.
• Public opinion on responsibility for addressing global warming emphasizes a shared role, with 47% of registered voters stating that actions by governments and individuals are equally important. Additionally, 72% believe corporations and industry should do more.
• Collective efficacy is higher at the local level than the national level; 53% of Americans are at least moderately confident they can influence their local government, compared to 47% for the federal government.
• Regarding local government priorities, 49% of registered voters believe mitigation and adaptation should be prioritized equally. The most prioritized areas for protection from global warming effects are public water supplies (57%) and people's health (53%).

APA

Center for Climate Change Communication (2021). Politics & Global Warming. https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/politics-global-warming-march-2021b.pdf

Chicago

Center for Climate Change Communication. Politics & Global Warming. 2021. https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/politics-global-warming-march-2021b.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Center for Climate Change Communication |title=Politics & Global Warming |date=March 2021 |url=https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/politics-global-warming-march-2021b.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centerforclimatechangecommunication2021politics, author = {{Center for Climate Change Communication}}, title = {{Politics \& Global Warming}}, institution = {Center for Climate Change Communication}, year = {2021}, month = mar, url = {https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/politics-global-warming-march-2021b.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }