PPIC Statewide Survey: Special Survey on the Environment

1
PPIC Statewide SurveySpecial Survey on the
Environment

• Mark Baldassare
• Sonja Petek
• August 2006

2
Outline

• PPIC / Hewlett Survey Series
• Air Quality and Health
• Energy and Global Warming
• Environment and Politics
• Conclusions

3
PPIC Statewide Survey Mission

• Provide timely, relevant, nonpartisan data on
  political, social, economic attitudes
• Inform policymakers, raise public awareness,
  stimulate debate
• 144,000 Californians interviewed since 1998
• Californians and Their Government, regional and
  special survey issues

4
Special Survey on the Environment

• Fifth in PPIC / Hewlett series on environment,
  education, population
• Focus on air quality, global warming, energy
  issues, and environment and politics
• 5 regions, 4 racial / ethnic groups,
  multilingual interviewing
• Telephone interviews, July 5 - July 18
• 2,501 adults
• /- 2 margin of error

5
Outline

• PPIC / Hewlett Survey Series
• Air Quality and Health
• Energy and Global Warming
• Environment and Politics
• Conclusions

6
Most Important State Environmental Issue
What do you think is the most important environmen
tal issue facing California today?
Air pollution
50
Energy
Global warming
40
30

20
10
0
2000
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
7
Regional Air PollutionAcross Regions
How big of a problem is air pollution in your
region?
Percent saying big problem
100
80
54
60
51
47

40
33
29
20
0
Central Valley
SF Bay Area
Los Angeles
Orange/ San Diego
Inland Empire
8
Perceived Trends in Air QualityAcross Racial /
Ethnic Groups
Is the air quality in your region better or worse
than it was 10 years ago?
100
Percent saying worse
80
63
60
54

44
42
40
20
0
Asians
Blacks
Latinos
Whites
9
Air Pollution and Health ThreatAcross Racial /
Ethnic Groups
How serious of a health threat is air
pollution to you and your immediate family?
100
Somewhat serious
Very serious
75
80
72
60
53
52

40
20
0
Asians
Blacks
Latinos
Whites
10
Preferred Responsibility for Air Quality
Which level of government do you think should
have the primary responsibility for setting air
quality standards in your region?
8
17
39
State government
17
Federal government
19
Regional air resources board
Local government
All adults
Other/don't know
11
Actions for Improving Air Quality
Would you be willing to see tougher air pollution
standards on new cars, trucks, and SUVs?
Would you be willing to see tougher air pollution
standards on ships, trucks, and trains that
transport freight and cargo?
6
7
All adults
19
18
4
66
9
71
Yes, even if more costly
Yes, but not if more costly
No
Don't know
12
Outline

• PPIC / Hewlett Survey Series
• Air Quality and Health
• Energy and Global Warming
• Environment and Politics
• Conclusions

13
Perceptions of Global Warming
Which of the following statements reflects your
view of when the effects of global warming will
begin to happen?
Democrats
Republicans
3
3
All adults
8
9
5
19
6
47
74
Already begun
14
Within a few years
Within your lifetime
8
4
Not within lifetime, but will affect future
generations
Will never happen
Don't know
14
Perceptions of Global Warming
How serious of a threat is global warming to
the economy and quality of life for Californias
future?
2005
2006
3
All adults
4
10
8
9
12
39
49
30
36
Very serious
Somewhat serious
Not too serious
Not at all serious
Don't know
15
State and Federal Policy Actions
Do you think the _____ is on the right track or
wrong track when it comes to addressing the issue
of global warming?
California state government
Federal government
17
All adults
24
29
43
54
33
Right track
Wrong track
Don't know
16
Role of State Policymaking
Do you favor or oppose the California state
government making its own policies, separate from
the federal government, to address the issue of
global warming?
2005
2006
All adults
9
8
27
54
37
65
Favor
Oppose
Don't know
17
California Emissions Policy
What about the proposal made by Governor
Schwarzenegger and other legislators to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions in the state back to
1990 levels by the year 2020?
What about the state law that requires all
automakers to further reduce the emissions of
greenhouse gases from new cars in California
beginning in 2009?
6
16
All adults
16
19
65
78
Favor
Oppose
Don't know
18
Alternative Energy
How about spending more government money to
develop alternative sources of fuel for
automobiles?
How about spending more government money to
develop renewable energy such as solar,
geothermal, and wind power?
4
4
All adults
13
15
83
81
Favor
Oppose
Don't know
19
Outline

• PPIC / Hewlett Survey Series
• Air Quality and Health
• Energy and Global Warming
• Environment and Politics
• Conclusions

20
Federal and State Involvement
Overall, do you think that the ________ is doing
more than enough, just enough, or not enough to
protect the environment in ________?
Federal government protecting the U.S.
State government protecting California
10
5
3
7
Likely voters
23
37
48
67
More than enough
Just enough
Not enough
Don't know
21
Presidents Approval Ratings
Do you approve or disapprove of the way
thatGeorge W. Bush is handling
Likely voters
100
Approve
Disapprove
80
65
63
61
60

36
40
28
27
20
0
Overall job
Environmental issues
Energy policy
22
Governors Approval Ratings
Do you approve or disapprove of the way
that Arnold Schwarzenegger is handling
100
Approve
Likely voters
Disapprove
80
60
49

44
43
40
38
36
40
20
0
Overall job
Environmental issues
Energy policy
23
Governors Election andEnvironmental Positions
In thinking about the California governors
election in November, how important to you are
the candidates positions on the environmentsuch
as air pollution, global warming, and energy
policyin determining your vote?
Democrats
Republicans
5
Likely voters
24
24
32
63
52
Very important
Somewhat important
Not too important
24
Governors Election
If the November 7th election for governor
were being held today, would you vote for
23
43
4
Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Republican
Phil Angelides, the Democrat
30
Peter Camejo, the Green
Likely voters
Other/dont know
25
Outline

• PPIC / Hewlett Survey Series
• Air Quality and Health
• Energy and Global Warming
• Environment and Politics
• Conclusions

26
Implications

• Air quality concerns steady over time,differ by
  regions and race/ethnicity
• Global warming and energy concerns on the rise
• Interest in fuel efficiency, pollution standards
• Larger role for state policy given federal
  response
• Support for state policies on global warming
• Environmental issues important in 2006 elections

27
Next Steps for PPIC Survey Series

• Briefings for local, state, federal policymakers
• Follow environmental and energy issues through
  summer and fall surveys
• Californians and the Future survey series on
  growth, infrastructure, and 2006 ballot choices
• Continue Hewlett survey series on education,
  environment, and population

28
Thank you

• Please continue exploring PPICs website at
  www.ppic.org