60% of likely voters favor a law that would dramatically increase American energy production
Only 30% believe it is “very likely” climate change will be catastrophic for humans, plants, and animals within next century
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL (May 9, 2022) – As Americans grapple with record high prices at the pump and the highest rate of inflation in more than four decades, a whopping
A new poll by The Heartland Institute and Rasmussen Reports indicates a strong bipartisan consensus that President Biden should sign a bill that 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.
The quotes below from climate and energy experts at The Heartland Institute may be used for attribution. The Heartland Institute is a national nonprofit organization founded in 1984 and headquartered in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Its mission is to discover, develop, and promote free-market solutions to social and economic problems.
If you’d like to interview a Heartland Institute expert about this poll or other topics, please contact Vice President and Director of Communications Jim Lakely at [email protected]. You can also call/text Jim at 312-731-9364.
“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 ensure continued economic and national security. This Heartland/Rasmussen poll indicates the public understands that fundamental fact.”
H. Sterling Burnett
Director, Arthur B. Robinson Center on Climate and Environmental Policy
The Heartland Institute
Managing editor, Environment & Climate News
“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.”
Linnea Lueken
Research Fellow
Arthur B. Robinson Center on Climate and Environmental Policy
The Heartland Institute
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
###
H. Sterling Burnett, Ph.D., is the Director of the Arthur B. Robinson Center on Climate and Environmental Policy and the managing editor of Environment & Climate News.
Linnea Lueken is a Research Fellow with the Arthur B. Robinson Center on Climate and Environmental Policy.
Justin Haskins is the director of the Socialism Research Center and editorial director at The Heartland Institute.
Jim Lakely is the Vice President and Director of Communications of The Heartland Institute.
