Poll: Climate worries rise, but few believe Biden’s law will help.
TL/DR –
A new poll from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows that 45% of US adults are more concerned about climate change than a year ago. However, many are unaware of President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, which invests billions into clean energy incentives. Even though about a quarter of Americans acknowledge the benefits of the Act’s tax credits for renewable energy projects and clean energy technologies, the majority do not believe it will address climate change effectively.
Rising Concerns Over Climate Change Among Americans
Like many Americans, Ron Theusch, a resident of Alden, Minnesota, is increasingly worried about climate change. He has observed drier and milder winters with brief severe cold spells, symptomatic of a warming planet.
Americans’ Growing Climate Change Concerns
An AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll shows that 45% of U.S. adults are more concerned about climate change than they were last year. This includes about 6 in 10 Democrats and a quarter of Republicans.
Biden’s Climate Policy and Public Perception
Despite President Joe Biden introducing the Inflation Reduction Act to combat climate change, the poll suggests that it’s not widely recognized among the general public and hasn’t significantly boosted his popularity.
Americans’ Perspective on Economic Impact of the Act
According to the poll, only about 2 in 10 Americans believe the Inflation Reduction Act has boosted the U.S. economy. Nearly half believe it has had no impact or are unsure. Despite this, most Americans believe the current government response to climate change is insufficient.
Importance of Government Role in Climate Solutions
Most Americans agree on the importance of the government’s role in supporting climate solutions. Nearly half believe in limiting the use of environmentally harmful products and technologies and enforcing stricter environmental laws and regulations.
Most, like 38-year-old Julio Carmona, a health program associate from Stratford, Connecticut, agree on the importance of enforcing existing environmental regulations. “We can all do our part… But if the big corporations aren’t doing it, I think that, for me, would be where the government should start,” says Carmona.
The poll of 1,204 adults conducted April 4-8, 2024, has a margin of sampling error for all respondents of plus or minus 3.9 percentage points.
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