Only 30% believe it is “very likely” climate change will be catastrophic for humans, plants, and animals within the next century

As Americans grapple with record-high prices at the pump and the highest rate of inflation in more than four decades, a whopping 82% of likely voters say they are either “very” or “somewhat concerned” about rising energy and gas prices under the Biden administration.

A new poll by The Heartland Institute and Rasmussen Reports indicates a strong bipartisan consensus that President Biden should sign a bill that would dramatically increase oil and gas drilling in the United States.

Drill Now, and Drill More

The survey of 1,004 likely voters, conducted from April 28 to May 2, 2022, found that 60% favor “a law that would dramatically increase oil and gas drilling in the United States.” Such a policy was favored by 76% of Republicans, 57% of Independents, and even 46% of Democrats—despite the Biden administration’s reticence to allow more domestic oil and gas exploration.

Partisan Split on Environmental Worries

Meanwhile, 52% of likely voters—including 74% of Republicans and 54% of Independents—think President Biden and Congress should focus more on “increasing oil and gas drilling to help reduce energy prices” than “limiting carbon dioxide emissions in an attempt to reduce climate change.” Among Democrats, only 34% favor “increasing oil and gas drilling to help reduce energy prices.”

The poll also found that 71% of likely Democratic voters believe climate change will be catastrophic for humans, plants, and animals within the next 100 years. On the other hand, 63% of likely Republican voters and 53% of Independents think climate change will not be catastrophic within the next 100 years.

Younger Voters Worry Most About Environment

Among younger likely voters, between the ages of 19 and 39, 57% believe that climate change poses a “catastrophic” threat to humanity in the next 100 years. This demographic is also more prone to favor policies that would deter energy production while limiting carbon dioxide emissions, even though 73% of likely voters aged 19 to 39 are “concerned” about rising energy and gas prices.

See the poll questions and the crosstabs here.

“When push comes to shove, polls consistently show energy and economic security trump climate change for a majority of the public when asked which is more important. Despite three decades of propagandizing, just 50 percent of those surveyed believe climate change poses a real threat to humans or the environment over the next 100 years.

“By contrast, a strong majority of Americans support government policies that would expand oil and gas production, regardless of climate change. Oil and gas remain, for the foreseeable future, vital to maintaining our present standard of living and lifestyles and to ensuring continued economic and national security. This Heartland/Rasmussen poll indicates the public understands that fundamental fact.”

“The results of this poll confirm that Americans have far different priorities than the Biden administration. Americans are worried about being able to afford the fuel that they need to work and live, and they know that our current oil and gas energy infrastructure is insufficient. Despite this, the federal government continues to pursue massively damaging policies that are in direct opposition to Americans’ needs. Our elected officials should take note.”

National Survey of 1,004 Likely Voters on Climate Change and Energy Policies

Conducted April 28 – May 2, 2022

By The Heartland Institute and Rasmussen Reports

How likely is it within the next 100 years that climate change will be catastrophic for humans, plants and animals?

30% very likely

20% somewhat likely

18% not very likely

24% not at all likely

8% not sure

How concerned are you about rising energy and gasoline prices?

60% very concerned

22% somewhat concerned

10% not very concerned

4% not at all concerned

4% not sure

Would you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose a law that would dramatically increase oil and gas drilling in the United States?

43% strongly favor

17% somewhat favor

14% somewhat oppose

16% strongly oppose

11% not sure

In your opinion, which of the following policy objectives should Congress and President Biden focus on more – increasing oil and gas drilling to help reduce energy prices or limiting carbon dioxide emissions in an attempt to reduce climate change?

52% increasing oil and gas drilling

34% limited carbon dioxide emissions

6% something else

9% not sure

NOTE: Margin of Sampling Error, +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence

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This article was published by The Heartland Institute and is reproduced with permission.