Regardless of Party Affiliation, Voters Want More Aggressive Policies to Address Climate Change
TRENTON – A new statewide poll commissioned by the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters found solid support among voters of both political parties for policies that will move the state to 100 percent clean energy by 2050.
A majority of respondents also believe that that government at all levels should do more to address the problem of climate change, according to the poll by the Washington, D.C.-based national polling firm, Global Strategies Group.
The poll, conducted between the presidential election and the inauguration, found majority support for the 100 percent clean energy goal – even among supporters of Donald Trump, a climate change denier who wants to increase our reliance on coal and natural gas.
Overall, 70 percent of respondents support the clean energy goal, compared with 15 percent, who do not. By party affiliation, 82% of registered Democrats, 68% of unaffiliated voters, and 54% of Republicans support the goal, as do 86% of Hillary Clinton supporters and 51% of Donald Trump voters.
“This is a big election year in New Jersey, with an open seat gubernatorial election and every member of the State Senate and Assembly up for election. The results of this poll clearly show that the environment will be on the ballot. Moving to 100% clean energy is important to New Jersey residents of every political affiliation,” said New Jersey LCV Executive Director Ed Potosnak. “New Jersey families understand that the energy we use needs to come from clean sources like solar and wind, and that continuing with fossil fuels is not sustainable for our health or the conserving our environment.
“Committing New Jersey to 100% clean energy by 2050 would reclaim our state’s leadership role in clean energy production and create the next generation of good, sustainable middle-class jobs.” Potosnak added. “New Jerseyans are on board with 100% clean energy by 2050 and we hope all the candidates for office will be too,” he concluded.
The telephone survey of 1,109 respondents has a margin of error of +/- 2.9%