A new poll from the California Public Policy Institute deftly mixes climate change, drought, wildfires and the oil and gas industry with deft questions and weighted demographics.
Here is the opening line of the PPIC:
“As California faces a severe drought and wildfire season, public awareness of the impacts of climate change and state policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions has increased. The sharp rise in oil prices has sparked discussions about expanding oil production and renewable energy. “
In one sentence, the PPIC asserts that climate change awareness is more widespread due to severe droughts and current wildfires. Just placing the second sentence would seem to imply that expensive oil and gas prices are causing the state to switch to renewable energy.
very smart.
PPIC also asked about “rising sea levels”, “more severe heatwaves”, “more severe droughts” and “more severe wildfires”.
Interestingly, they also asked about “other approaches to climate change that government officials are discussing:”
Q: Governor Newsom’s executive order bans the sale of all new gasoline-powered vehicles through 2035? Are you for or against this proposal?
48% agree
50% against
2% don’t know
Q: Governor Newsom plans to ban new hydraulic fracturing (or “fracking”) licenses in California starting in 2024? Are you for or against this proposal?
59% agree
38% disapprove
3% don’t know
However, looking at the survey methodology and questions will reveal more.
PPIC spoke with 1,648 adult California residents. Those ones:
703 are registered Democrats
354 are registered Republicans
342 people with no partisan preference
Of the 1,648 California adults surveyed:
401 people in Los Angeles
306 people in the Central Valley
193 people in the Inland Empire
256 in Orange County and San Diego
325 people in the San Francisco Bay Area
Of the 1,648 California adults surveyed:
792 were male
856 women
Of the 1,648 California adults surveyed:
138 were African American
191 were Asian American
409 were Latino
844 people are white
Of the 1,648 California adults surveyed:
338 people earn less than $40,000 a year
412 earning between $40,000 and $79,999
836 earn more than $80,000
Results: More Democrats, Los Angeles and San Francisco dominated, most California adults surveyed were white, and there was a significant increase in those surveyed earning more than $80,000 a year.
Participants were asked:
- As you consider November’s California gubernatorial election, how important are candidates’ positions on the environment in determining your vote?
- Regardless of your choice in the 2022 U.S. House of Representatives election, which of the following candidates will do a better job of tackling America’s environmental issues: [rotate] A Republican candidate in your area or a Democratic candidate in your area?
- Do you think climate change is causing California’s current drought? (Why doesn’t PPIC ask “What do you think is the cause of California’s current drought?)
- Do you think climate change has contributed to California’s recent wildfires? (Why doesn’t PPIC ask “What do you think caused the recent wildfires in California?)
- How confident are you that the government is ready to deal with wildfires in California?
- On another topic, which of the following statements reflect your when Will the effects of climate change start to happen?
- Compared to other problems, you would say that addressing global climate change is…
24% is my personal top concern
57% is one of the few important things I care about
19% is not an important issue for me
– do not know
- How much of a threat does climate change pose to California’s future economy and quality of life?
47% very serious
33% somewhat serious
11% less serious
8% not at all serious
1% don’t know
They should ask, “Did you still beat your wife?”
The poll felt as if they had an ideal conclusion and created the questions and demographics to arrive at that conclusion, using significantly more Democrats, significantly more high-income Californians, and significantly more polled whites.
You can access the PPIC poll here.
