Most people don’t know about Biden’s plans for the environment – CBS News survey shows.
Assessing President Biden’s Climate Change Actions
President Joe Biden made addressing climate change a central issue in his 2020 campaign. Fast forward three years into his presidency, and the question arises: What do those who prioritize climate change think about his actions thus far? How informed are they about the steps taken by his administration?
Surprisingly, few Americans, including those in the president’s own party and those who consider climate change a significant concern, claim to have heard much about the administration’s efforts. A staggering half of them admit to knowing little to nothing about what the administration has done.
As a result, many of those who prioritize climate change are feeling somewhat underwhelmed. A majority believe that the president has not done enough in the fight against climate change, rather than hitting the mark with the right amount of action.
The Positive Reception of Biden’s Climate Policies
While there seems to be dissatisfaction regarding President Biden’s climate change initiatives, those who do familiarize themselves with his administration’s policies on the matter tend to support them. It appears that when presented with information about the Biden administration’s climate change measures, including enhanced regulations, reduction of toxic chemicals in drinking water, and tax rebates for electric vehicle purchases, a majority of climate change advocates express favorable views of these policies.
Notably, even individuals who feel that the administration has not done enough in combatting climate change endorse these policies. The key takeaway here is that President Biden may need to focus more on disseminating information about his climate policies rather than convincing his climate constituency of the merit of his actions.
Climate Change: A Priority for Biden’s Base
Despite climate change not ranking as the foremost issue for Americans overall, it holds significant importance for Democrats, liberals, Biden supporters from the 2020 election, and many younger individuals. Given that these groups comprise a crucial part of President Biden’s voter base, their stance on climate change could influence the upcoming elections.
Only 10% of Americans who consider climate change a highly important issue report being well-informed about the Biden administration’s efforts thus far. Moreover, the prevailing sentiment is that the administration has fallen short in adequately addressing climate change.
Expectations of the “Climate Constituency”
An overwhelming majority of individuals who prioritize climate change believe that the nation should take decisive steps to halt or slow the rate of climate change. If they had to choose, they would prioritize safeguarding the earth’s climate over energy production. Furthermore, these individuals largely concur with the administration and Democratic leaders that initiatives to combat climate change would benefit the economy rather than harm it, setting them apart from those who downplay the significance of the issue.
2024 Presidential Candidates and Climate Change Policies
While the “climate constituency” desires to see more action from President Biden on climate change, they still prefer his approach over that of former President Donald Trump. The broader public, however, remains unconvinced, leading to a near tie between Biden and Trump among individuals assessing whose approach to the issue aligns more with their beliefs. A notable portion of respondents opts for neither candidate.
The division in preferences becomes clear when comparing supporters of renewable energy sources favoring Biden’s approach, while those in favor of fossil fuel production lean towards Trump’s policies. Partisanship plays a significant role here, although independents, who fear that anti-climate change efforts could impact their finances negatively, tend to lean towards Trump’s stance.
Outlook on Climate Change and the 2024 Election
Looking ahead, there exists skepticism about the potential impact of either candidate on climate change if elected in November. The prevailing sentiment is that Biden may slow the rate of climate change, whereas Trump may exacerbate it. However, half of the respondents believe that the election outcome will not make a significant difference, particularly among those who hold a fatalistic view on climate change.
Survey Methodology
This CBS News/YouGov survey, conducted with a nationally representative sample of 2,230 U.S. adult residents, provides insights into public opinion related to climate change and the actions taken by the Biden administration. The survey was carried out between April 16-19, 2024, with the sample weighted according to various demographic factors. The margin of error for the study is estimated at ±2.7 points.
