Concern over climate change rises; doubts persist on Biden’s policy

TL/DR –

A recent survey shows approximately 45% of U.S. adults are becoming more concerned about climate change. However, there is persistent skepticism about President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act and its incentives for clean energy, with only a small proportion of Americans recognizing personal benefits from the policy. Democrats are more likely than Republicans to view climate change as a significant threat and to support aggressive climate action, while Republicans remain skeptical of the impact and necessity of these policies.

Increasing US Climate Change Concerns Despite Skepticism on Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act

A new poll shows rising American worry for climate change, but doubts about President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act’s effectiveness persist.

The survey, reported by Alexa St. John and Linley Sanders for The Associated Press, reveals the following:

• Approximately 45% of U.S. adults express growing apprehension about climate change, with notable differences between political parties.
• The Inflation Reduction Act’s clean energy incentives are only recognized as personally beneficial by a small percentage of Americans.
• Public confidence in the Act’s provisions for addressing climate change long-term is low.

Key insight:

“We have four children in their 20s. What will our grandkids’ world look like?” – Ron Theusch, truck driver and Alden, Minnesota resident

The Significance of Partisan Divide

Political divide significantly impacts views on climate change. Democrats are more likely than Republicans to consider climate change a significant threat and a national priority. This divide also applies to perceptions of President Biden’s climate policies, with Democrats more supportive of aggressive climate actions. Conversely, Republicans express significant doubts about the necessity and impact of these policies.

In 2022, Peter Dykstra posed the question: Will the Inflation Reduction Act signal the start of the fossilization of fossil fuels?

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