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Wednesday 26 OctOber 2022
Most in U.S. want more action on climate change: AP-NORC poll

right amount.
Democrats are more likely
than others to think the
federal government is do-
ing too little on climate:
79% say that, compared to
67% of independents and
39% of Republicans. About
three-quarters of Black and
Hispanic Americans think
there’s too little action,
compared to about half of
white Americans.
And about three-quarters
of adults under 45 think
there’s too little action on
climate, significantly high-
er than the roughly half of
those older who think that.
Robert Stavins, professor
of energy and economic
development at the Har-
vard Kennedy School, said
it makes sense for the gov-
ernment to step in to pro-
mote renewable energy on
a large scale.
“Individual action is not
going to be sufficient in 10
or even 20 years,” he said.
President Joe Biden signs the Democrats' landmark climate change and health care bill in the State Dining Room of the White House
in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, as from left, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of N.Y., “You need government
House Majority Whip Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J., and Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fla., watch. policies to create incen-
Associated Press tives for industry and indi-
viduals to move in a car-
Continued from Front New Hampshire, said he in Congress, approved and That includes incentives for bon-friendly direction.’’
thinks Biden has “done an signed by Biden. electric vehicles and solar Americans want to own
Yet the poll by The Associ- amazing amount of work” The law was passed during panels, though relatively a car, “and they are not
ated Press-NORC Center as president. “I’m sort of in the summer, when people few say they are inclined going to buy one that’s
for Public Affairs Research awe of what he’s done,’’ traditionally pay less atten- to pursue either in the next expensive,’’ Stavins said,
finds that 61% of U.S. adults said Katz, a Democrat and tion to news, “and it takes three years. so government needs to
say they know little to noth- retired photographer. Still, time to explain it,’’ espe- About half of Americans lower costs for electric ve-
ing about it. asked his opinion of the In- cially since many of the think government action hicles and encourage au-
While the law was widely flation Reduction Act, Katz law’s provisions have not that targets companies tomakers to produce more
heralded as the largest in- said, “I’m not acquainted yet kicked in, Stokes said. with restrictions is very im- EVs, including widespread
vestment in climate spend- with” it. Biden and congressional portant, the poll shows, availability of charging sta-
ing in history, 49% of Ameri- After learning about the Democrats “delivered in a while about a third say that tions. Biden has set a goal
cans say it won’t make law’s provisions, Katz said big way on climate,’’ she about restrictions on indi- to install 500,000 charging
much of a difference on he supports increased said, but now must focus viduals. A majority of Ameri- stations across America as
climate change, 33% say it spending for wind and solar on helping the public un- cans, 62%, say companies’ part of the 2021 infrastruc-
will help and 14% think it will power, along with incen- derstand the law and “win- refusal to reduce energy ture law.
do more to hurt it. tives to purchase electric ning the win.’’ use is a major problem for On renewable energy,
The measure, which passed vehicles. Meredith McGroarty, a efforts to reduce climate nearly two-thirds of U.S.
without a single Republican Even stronger measures waitress from Pontiac, change, while just about adults say offshore wind
vote in either chamber, of- — such as restrictions on Michigan, said she was un- half say people not willing farms should be expanded,
fers nearly $375 billion in rebuilding in coastal areas familiar with the new law to reduce their energy use and about 6 in 10 say solar
incentives to accelerate damaged by Hurricane Ian but supports increased cli- is a major problem. panel farms should be ex-
expansion of clean ener- or other storms — are war- mate action. “I have chil- Slightly more than half also panded. Biden has moved
gy such as wind and solar ranted, Katz said, but he dren I’m leaving behind to say it’s a major problem to expand offshore wind
power, speeding the tran- doubts they’ll ever be ap- this world,’’ she said. that the energy industry is and solar power as presi-
sition away from fossil fuels proved. McGroarty, 40, a Demo- not doing enough to sup- dent.
such as oil, coal and natu- “People want their dreams crat, urged Biden and other ply power from renewable Americans are divided on
ral gas that largely cause to come true: to live near leaders to talk more about sources such as wind and offshore drilling for oil and
climate change. the ocean in a big house,’’ the climate law’s “effects solar, and about half say natural gas. Around a third
Combined with spending he said. on normal, everyday peo- the government is not in- say such drilling should be
by states and the private Leah Stokes, an environ- ple. Let us know what’s go- vesting enough in renew- expanded, while about as
sector, the law could help mental policy professor at ing on a little more.’’ able energy. many say it should be re-
shrink U.S. carbon emissions the University of California, Americans are gener- Overall, 62% of U.S. adults duced; another third say
by about two-fifths by 2030 Santa Barbara, said she was ally more likely to support say the government is do- neither.
and chop emissions from not surprised the climate than oppose many of the ing too little to reduce cli- Republicans were more
electricity by as much as law is so little known, de- government actions on mate change, while 19% likely than Democrats to be
80%, advocates say. spite massive media cover- climate change included say it’s doing too much in favor of expanding off-
Michael Katz, 84, of Temple, age when it was debated in the law, the poll shows. and 18% think it’s doing the shore drilling, 54% to 20%.q