public opinion landscape - energy and the environment

Public Opinion Landscape: Energy and the Environment

April 2013

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1

1. Current Landscape………………………….……………………….………….2

2. Energy Policy & Political Perceptions…………………………….......14

3. Energy Sources.………………………………………………………………...23

Slide

Current Landscape

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FEDERAL BUDGET DEFICIT SURPASSES THE ENVIRONMENT AS MOST IMPORTANT PROBLEM OF THE FUTURE

4%

6%

8%

12%

13%

Health care

Unemploy-ment/Jobs

Environment/Pollution

Economy ingeneral

Federal debt

3

4%

2%

14% 13%

5%

12% 11% 12%

14% 14%

11%

8%

2% 3%

6% 6%

8%

5%

8%

4%

2007 2008 2010 2013

Source: Gallup Poll, March 7-10, 2013

Looking ahead, what do you think will be the most important problem facing our nation 25 years from now? [OPEN-ENDED] [SHOWN: TREND]

Federal debt

Economy

Environment/ Pollution

Unemployment /Jobs

Health care

33% 36%

42%

44% 36% 37% 37%

42%

51% 53%

43%

54% 49% 48%

57% 54%

47% 49% 53% 52% 55%

49%

42%

38%

50%

36% 41% 43%

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2010 2011 2012 2013

EconomicGrowth

Environment

AMERICANS PRIORITIZE ECONOMIC GROWTH OVER ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION; SMALLER GAP THAN LAST YEAR

4 Note: Equal priority and No opinion answers not shown.

Which one of these statements about the environment and the economy do you most agree – [ROTATED: protection of the environment should be given priority, even at the risk of curbing economic growth (or) economic growth should be given priority, even if the environment suffers to some extent]?


36% 40% 40%

44% 39%

42%

34%

41% 46%

50%

39%

50% 47%

46%

52% 52% 49% 48%

52% 49%

58%

50% 47%

43%

55%

41% 44%

45%

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2010 2011 2012 2013

Energydevelopment

Environmentalprotection

AMERICANS SPLIT ON ENVIRONMENT VS. ENERGY TRADE-OFF

5


With which one of these statements about the environment and energy production do you most agree – [ROTATED: protection of the environment should be given priority, even at the risk of limiting the amount of energy supplies – such as oil, gas, and coal – which the United States produces (or) development of U.S. energy supplies – such as oil, gas, and coal – should be given priority, even if the environment suffers to some extent]?

Note: Equal priority and No opinion answers not shown.

DEMOCRATS WANT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION; REPUBLICANS AND INDEPENDENTS MORE CONCERNED WITH ENERGY DEVELOPEMENT

6 Note: “DK/ref” results not shown


With which one of these statements about the environment and energy production do you most agree – [ROTATED: protection of the environment should be given priority, even at the risk of limiting the amount of energy supplies – such as oil, gas, and coal – which the United States produces (or) development of U.S. energy supplies – such as oil, gas, and coal – should be given priority, even if the environment suffers to some extent]?

Issue Democrats Republicans Independents

Environmental

protection 64% 25% 43%

Energy

development 28% 71% 46%

GREATER NUMBER OF AMERICANS ARE CONCERNED WITH GLOBAL WARMING THIS YEAR THAN LAST YEAR

7

58% 51%

62% 65% 66%

60% 52% 51%

55% 58%

40% 47%

36% 34% 33% 39%

48% 48% 45% 43%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

2003 2004 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

% Worry a greatdeal/a fairamount

% Only alittle/not at all

I’m going to read you a list of environmental problems. As I read each one, please tell me if you personally worry about this problem a great deal, a fair amount, only a little, or not at all. First, how much do you worry about [global warming]?


MORE SAY THERE IS EVIDENCE OF TEMPERATURE CHANGE OVER PAST DECADES

8 Note: “DK/ref” results not shown

From what you’ve read and heard, is there solid evidence that the average temperature on earth has been getting warmer over the past decades, or not? [SHOW: Do you believe the earth is getting warmer? Yes, No] [SHOW: If yes, why?]

Source: Pew Research Center, March 13-17, 2013

Sep/Oct 2009

Oct 2010

Feb/Mar 2011

Nov 2011

Oct 2012

Mar 2013

Yes 57% 59% 58% 63% 67% 69%

Mostly because of human activity such

as burning fossil fuels 36% 34% 36% 38% 42% 42%

Mostly because of natural patterns in the earth's environment

16% 18% 18% 18% 19% 23%

No 33% 32% 34% 28% 26% 27%

PEOPLE INCREASINGLY PERCEIVE THE SERIOUSNESS OF GLOBAL WARMING AS UNDERESTIMATED IN NEWS

9

31%

33% 38%

31% 30% 33%

35% 41%

48% 43% 42% 41%

32%

29% 25%

29% 28%

29%

33% 29%

24% 26% 24% 24%

32% 33% 33%

35%

38% 35%

29% 28%

25% 29%

31% 33%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

% Exaggerated

% Correct

% Underestimated


Thinking about what is said in the news, in your view is the seriousness of global warming – [generally exaggerated, generally correct, or is it generally underestimated]?

Note: “DK/ref” results not shown

10

Human activity

48%

Natural patterns

31%

Global warming does not

exist 10%

Caused by both 6%

DK/ref 4%

Which statement comes closest to your view about global warming? 1. Global warming is caused mostly by human activity such as burning fossil fuels. 2. Global warming is caused mostly by natural patterns in the earth's environment. 3. Global warming does not exist.

Source: CBS News Poll, February 6-10, 2013

NEARLY HALF OF AMERICANS BELIEVE GLOBAL WARMING IS CAUSED BY HUMAN ACTIVITY; ONE-IN-TEN DISMISS EXISTENCE

11

Impact now

49% In the

future

28%

No serious impact

19%

Don’t know 5%

Do you think global warming is an environmental problem that is causing a serious impact now, or do you think the impact of global warming won't happen until sometime in the future, or do you think global warming won't have a serious impact at all?


SIMILARLY, NEARLY HALF AGREE THAT GLOBAL WARMING IS CAUSING AN IMPACT RIGHT NOW

YET, LARGE MAJORITY DOUBT GLOBAL WARMING WILL SERIOUSLY IMPACT THEIR WAY OF LIFE

12

65% 62%

58% 60% 67%

61% 64%

33% 35% 40% 38%

32% 38%

34%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

2002 2006 2008 2009 2010 2012 2013

% No

% Yes

Note: “No opinion” results not shown

Do you think that global warming will pose a serious threat to you or your way of life in your lifetime?


13

Energy Policy & Political Perceptions

14

14%

2%

3%

18%

9%

10%

36%

41%

33%

28%

45%

52%

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Dealing with global warming

Dealing with the nation's energyproblem

Protecting the environment

Top priority

Important butlower priority

Not too important

Should not be done

Source: Pew Research Center, Jan. 9 – 13, 2013


“PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT” HIGHER PRIORITY THAN DEALING WITH GLOBAL WARMING

I’d like to ask you about priorities for President Obama and Congress this year. As I read from a list, tell me if you think each should be a top priority, important but lower priority, not too important or it should not be done.

NEARLY HALF – BUT FEWER THAN LAST YEAR – THINK GOV’T IS DOING TOO LITTLE TO PROTECT ENVIRONMENT

7% 5% 5% 4%

15% 16% 17% 16%

51% 55%

58% 62%

46% 49% 51%

47% 37% 37%

34% 33% 35% 33% 30% 35%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

2003 2004 2005 2006 2010 2011 2012 2013

% Too much

% Too little

% About the right amount

15

Do you think the U.S. government is doing too much, too little, or about the right amount in terms of protecting the environment?

Note: “Not sure,” “DK/ref” results not shown


ENVIRONMENT IS NOT A TOP FEDERAL PRIORITY AMONG AMERICANS

Economy 35% Federal Deficit 20%

Health care 12% Gun policy 15%

Foreign Policy 5% Immigration 4% Environment 3%

Source: Quinnipiac University Poll, January 30 – February 4, 2013 16

As President Obama prepares to deliver his State of the Union address, please tell me which one of the following issues you are most interested in hearing him address…


44% 45% 44%

32% 37%

34%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Oct/Nov, 2009 May, 2010 Feb. 13-18 2013

% Approve% Disapprove

MIDDLING APPROVAL OF OBAMA’S HANDLING OF CLIMATE CHANGE HAS REMAINED

Now, thinking about how Barack Obama is handling some issues... Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling climate change?

Source: Pew Research Center, Feb. 13 – 18, 2013

Note: “DK/ref” results not shown 17

Barack Obama

47%

Republicans

26% Same/no difference

2%

Neither 8%

DK/Ref

17% Barack Obama

38%

Republicans

26% Same/no difference

1%

Neither 11%

DK/Ref

24%

MORE TRUST OBAMA TO HANDLE CLIMATE CHANGE THAN DURING FIRST TERM

18

Feb. 2010 Feb. 2013

+9%


And thinking about these same issues, who do you think has the better approach to dealing with climate change?

19

Barack Obama

55%

GOP in Congress

31%

Don’t know 14%

Approve

47% Disapprove

34%

Don’t know 18%

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling energy policy?

Who do you trust to do a better job handling - the environment, President Obama or the Republicans in Congress?

Source: Quinnipiac University Poll, January 30 – February 4, 2013 Source: CBS News Poll, February 6-10, 2013

MAJORITY TRUST OBAMA OVER REPUBLICANS WHEN HANDLING ENVIRONMENT; PLURALITY APPROVE OF OBAMA’S HANDLING OF ENERGY POLICY

PLURALITY OF AMERICANS THINK DEMOCRATS HAVE BETTER APPROACH TO ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

36%

25%

15% 15%

7%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

Democrats Don't know Republicans None Independents

In your opinion, which political party has a better plan, policy or approach to the environment?

Source: Ipsos Poll (Reuters), April 5-9, 2013 Note: “Other” results not shown 20

21

If you were making up the budget for the federal government this year, would you increase spending, decrease spending or keep spending the same for environmental protection?


48%

43% 43%

36%

33%

9% 9% 16%

26% 22%

40%

45%

34% 36%

43%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Apr. 2001 Feb. 2002 June. 2009 Feb. 2011 Feb. 2013

% Increase

% Decrease

% Keep the same


JUST ONE IN FOUR AMERICANS WANT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SPENDING REDUCED

Energy Sources

52%

34%

41%

36% 36%

9% 9% 15% 23% 21%

35%

49%

35%

37% 38%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Apr. 2001 Feb. 2002 June. 2009 Feb. 2011 Feb. 2013

% Increase

% Decrease

MAJORITY OF AMERICANS SUPPORT OR WANT TO INCREASE CURRENT SPENDING LEVELS IN RELATION TO ENERGY

23

If you were making up the budget for the federal government this year, would you increase spending, decrease spending or keep spending the same for energy?



24

3%

22%

22%

68%

0 20 40 60 80 100

Not at all important

Not very important

Somewhat important

Very important



How important is it for the U.S. to develop an alternative to oil as a major source of energy--very important, somewhat important, not very important, or not at all important?

STRONG MAJORITY BELIEVES IN IMPORTANCE OF DEVELOPING ALTERNATIVE TO OIL AS MAJOR SOURCE OF ENERGY

THREE-IN-FOUR WANT MORE EMPHASIS ON SOLAR, NEARLY EQUAL SUPPORT FOR WIND

Sorted by “more emphasis” More emphasis Less emphasis Same emphasis

Solar power 76% 10% 12%

Wind 71% 12% 16%

Natural gas 65% 10% 24%

Oil 46% 32% 21%

Nuclear power 37% 32% 28%

Coal 31% 41% 25%

25 Note: “No opinion” results not shown


Do you think that as a country, the United States should put more emphasis , less emphasis, or about the same emphasis as it does now on producing domestic energy from each of the following sources --?

REPUBLICANS FAVOR GAS, OIL & COAL, MORE SO THAN OTHERS

26

68%

59%

78%

71%

49% 51%

87% 83%

59%

29% 30%

21%

74% 68%

62%

43%

35%

26%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Solar power Wind Natural gas Oil Nuclearpower

Coal

RepublicansDemocratsIndependents


Do you think that as a country, the United States should put more emphasis , less emphasis, or about the same emphasis as it does now on producing domestic energy from each of the following sources --?


STRONG MAJORITY FAVOR KEYSTONE PIPELINE; NEARLY HALF FAVOR INCREASED FRACKING

27

Favor

48% Oppose

38%

DK/Ref

14%

Favor

66%

Oppose

23%

DK/Ref

11%

Do you favor or oppose…

Increasing the use of fracking, a drilling method that uses high-pressure water and chemicals to extract oil and natural gas from underground rock formations?

Building the Keystone XL pipeline that would transport oil from Canada’s oil sands region through the Midwest to refineries in Texas?

Source: Pew Research Center, March 13-17, 2013

28

GPG Research

GPG has a full-scale internal research team offering the full complement of qualitative and quantitative public opinion research services. We use research to inform message development and communication strategy, as well as to help clients assess and monitor critical issues and track the effectiveness of strategic communication campaigns.

GPG has a deep experience conducting research about complex environmental and political topics with diverse audiences. We go beyond the standard Q&A, using innovative, projective techniques to uncover key insights. The result is actionable research that helps shape our clients’ messaging and strategy.

For more information about this presentation or to find out more about GPG’s research capabilities contact:

Jason Boxt ([email protected])

public opinion landscape - energy and the environment

Technology