Most people living in Texas — the heart of the nation’s oil and gas industry and the biggest producer and consumer of energy — believe climate change is real and human-caused and support policies to transition to a less carbon-intensive energy economy, according to a new survey.
Researchers at the University of Houston surveyed 1,000 adults from all 50 states and another 500 adults in Texas and found that the Texas respondents were “nearly in lockstep” with national perceptions about climate change, according to the researchers’ findings. Nearly 81% of Texans who participated said they “believe climate change is happening,” and 80% of the nationally representative respondents also supported that statement.
“[The] survey “found an extraordinary and unprecedented shift in public opinion in Texas, wherein Texans revealed preferences increasingly aligned with the rest of the U.S.,” the report said.
It also found support among Texans for policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the oil and gas industry, with 88% of Texas respondents saying they would be willing to pay more for electricity from natural gas that didn’t involve flaring or venting of methane in oil fields.
Additionally, 61% of Texans — compared to 64% of the nationally representative sample of people — said they believe that hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, negatively affects the environment. Fifty-three percent of Texans and 56% of the national sample also said the government should encourage “carbon management” practices, or efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel production.
The findings suggest that opinions on climate and energy issues among Texans are shifting.
7 thoughts on “CNBC: Why Climate Change Denial Persists”
“Four out of five respondents believe that climate change is happening and
more than three out of five believe that it is anthropogenic in origin.” The more relevant take from that, is 40% of people still don’t believe AGW is real, however it’s spun.
there’s a hard core that will continue to believe that climate change is a hoax, along with corona virus – and that Mexico will be paying for the wall.
Can’t do anything about those folks, have to move on without them.
18:34 It’s decades too late for market religious actions to be enough. Only a massive comprehensive government-led emergency climate mobilization will prevent fascism and Climate Götterdämmerung. Green New Deal or dust.
It’s great to see that the numbers of people believing in it are increasing. There’s a difference between believing it and actually wanting to take action though. I think a large part of the people who believe in climate change aren’t particularly passionate about the cause and would be reluctant to make compromises for it.
“Four out of five respondents believe that climate change is happening and
more than three out of five believe that it is anthropogenic in origin.” The more relevant take from that, is 40% of people still don’t believe AGW is real, however it’s spun.
there’s a hard core that will continue to believe that climate change is a hoax, along with corona virus – and that Mexico will be paying for the wall.
Can’t do anything about those folks, have to move on without them.
Over 11 million more Americans voted for Trump in 2020 than in 2016.
Ain’t American grand?
18:34 It’s decades too late for market religious actions to be enough. Only a massive comprehensive government-led emergency climate mobilization will prevent fascism and Climate Götterdämmerung. Green New Deal or dust.
Climate change is a global cause. It is inevitable. By the way nice post. Keep Posting.
Top Cardiologist in Ranchi
Grist: These ladies love natural gas! Too bad they aren’t real..
https://grist.org/climate/these-ladies-love-natural-gas-too-bad-they-arent-real/
It’s great to see that the numbers of people believing in it are increasing. There’s a difference between believing it and actually wanting to take action though. I think a large part of the people who believe in climate change aren’t particularly passionate about the cause and would be reluctant to make compromises for it.