With California facing a severe drought and wildfire season, public awareness has risen of the impact of climate change as well as state policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A sharp increase in petroleum prices has led to discussions about expanding oil production and renewable energy sources. These are among the key findings of a statewide survey on environmental issues conducted by the Public Policy Institute of California from July 8 to 15, 2022:
Californians are most likely to name water supply and drought, followed by wildfires and climate change, as the most important environmental issue facing the state today …
Overwhelming majorities favor developing renewable energy sources over expanding oil, coal, and natural gas production. Forty-nine percent have seriously considered getting an electric vehicle. Forty-nine percent approve of President Biden’s handling of environmental issues. CONTINUED
Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Rachel Lawler & Deja Thomas, Public Policy Institute of California
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