State residents are more likely than other Americans to back efforts to address climate change, with large majorities favoring government regulations, tax incentives and other efforts by industry and individuals to curb their emissions, the poll showed.
"They think California can take the lead in being an innovator and in making the state more energy efficient and reducing greenhouse gas emissions," said Mark DiCamillo, the director of the Field Poll. "They are very optimistic about the state's ability to do something without hurting the economy."
The poll found that 9 in 10 Californians said the state could be a leader in new technologies to address global warming.
More than 4 out of 5 respondents said they believe that global warming poses a serious or very serious threat. Californians see climate change as an issue with major regional impacts: 63 percent said it threatens the snowpack in the Sierra; 66 percent said it poses health risks to residents where air quality is poor; 53 percent believe it could hurt Central Valley farmers; and 51 percent said it threatens low-lying coastal communities.
The poll found a much higher level of concern in California than the nation generally. Seventy percent of state residents said global warming is extremely important or very important to them personally. An identical question asked in an ABC News/Washington Post/Stanford University poll in April found that 52 percent of U.S. adults described the issue as important to them.
In California, 43 percent said global warming requires immediate action and 32 percent said some action should be taken - higher than in the national poll, where 34 percent wanted immediate action and 30 percent backed some action.
"Californians, as a rule, are more future oriented," DiCamillo said. "When there is a problem that is cropping up in the future, they are more apt to attempt some early fix, to do something about it. That conforms pretty much with the way Californians have reacted on other issues."
Lawmakers and some economists have raised questions about the costs of cutting greenhouse gases, but 85 percent of Californians in the poll said they agree strongly or somewhat with the view that emissions can be reduced while creating jobs and expanding the economy - echoing the view of supporters of new climate rules.
State residents also want to see action by many different entities on the issue - not just the government. Asked which groups could do the most, 64 percent said major corporations, 63 percent said gas and electric utilities, 57 percent said the general public, and 56 percent said the federal government.
Californians remain undecided over possible solutions to the problem. Eight of 10 surveyed support tax incentives to industry to reduce emissions, and 79 percent back similar incentives for individuals.
A similar majority supports government regulations requiring businesses to cut their emissions, although that support dropped from 81 percent to 61 percent if the new rules increased the cost of goods and services.
Statewide, 65 percent of voters back a "cap-and-trade" system - where emissions are capped and polluters can trade credits to emit greenhouse gases - while 26 percent oppose it. California lawmakers have approved a cap-and-trade scheme and Congress is considering legislation to do the same.
Asked about a carbon tax, Californians initially like the idea (72 percent support), but only 53 percent said they would remain supportive if the tax increased costs for consumers.
DiCamillo said one of the striking findings of the poll was that there was little difference in views on warming based on party affiliation. There was a bigger gap based on how much people knew about the issue, he said. Those who said they'd heard a great deal about climate change were 20 percent more likely to say the issue was important.
The poll was sponsored by Next Ten, a Palo Alto-based group founded by venture capitalist F. Noel Perry that seeks to get Californians engaged in issues affecting the state's future.
The survey was based on
Californians, as a rule, are more future oriented,” DiCamillo said. “When there is a problem that is cropping up in the future, they are more apt to attempt some early fix, to do something about it. That conforms pretty much with the way Californians have reacted on other issues.”
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So Mr. DiCamillio, how’s that future oriented Kaleeefornia budget lookin’ these days?
Never trust a man who parts his name on the side.
Ah, SURVEYS.
The State of California just did a VOTE on two issues. The ‘green’ issues got clobbered unanimously State wide. Lost in the furor over Prop 8, check out the votes on props 6 and 10 !!!
One was to mandate that powerplants all switch to renewable power. The other was to fund the purchasing of energy efficient cars.