NEW YORK — A survey of 2,000 American voters found that a political candidate’s climate change stance will be a major deciding factor for 77% of respondents when choosing who they vote for in 2020. Of that group, more than three-quarters majority, (92%) said they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who says they’ll enforce regulations to curb climate change.
In all, 63% of respondents said businesses should be responsible for resolving climate change, while 58% said that individuals were responsible. Another 52% said the government should be primarily called upon to fix the issue.
The vast majority (93%) of all respondents agreed that government regulations are typically effective at fighting the effects of climate change, and 84% said those regulations are necessary. Overall, 87% felt the country needs more government regulations, but two-thirds also admitted they would like to see at least some of those regulations enacted at the local community level first.
In order to see these regulations enacted in their communities, respondents indicated they were willing to work to make it happen. About six in ten (61%) said they would canvas their local area to get petition signatures for climate regulations.
The survey also asked respondents about curbing plastic use. Nearly half (46%) of respondents would support a ban on single-use plastic bags, while 44% would support a tax on plastic bags to discourage use. Meanwhile, 37% support a ban on single-use straws. It’s worth nothing that some states have already instituted such policies.
“To make meaningful progress toward existing climate challenges we need wide-sweeping changes to occur — quickly — in both business and consumer behavior,” says Mark Abrials, Co-Founder and CMO of Avocado Green Brands, which commissioned the research, in a statement. “One way to accomplish this is through government regulations that drive eco-conscious choices.”
Additionally, 37% of survey respondents said that bringing climate change to the forefront of people’s minds will help the cause, and 32% said government regulations would encourage individuals to make more environmentally-friendly personal choices. A significant 75% said that choosing to buy ethically-sourced, sustainable items is already a priority for them, and they’re willing to pay 30% more for these items.
“We all have the ability to ‘vote’ for the change we’d like to see — with our ballot, with our dollars, and with our time and energy,” Abrials adds. “Choosing ethically-sourced, sustainable products over traditionally manufactured goods is a simple way to make a positive difference for both our planet and the people that call it home.”
WHICH GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS WOULD RESPONDENTS SUPPORT?
1. Ban on single-use plastic bags
2. Tax on single-use plastic bags
3. Ban on single-use plastic straws
4. Ban on plastic packing peanuts
5. Tax on single-use plastic straws
6. New buildings/houses permitted after 2020 need to be built with solar panels
7. Receive money back from the government for using an electric car
8. Receive money back from the government for recycling
9. Receive money back from the government for using solar power
10. Hybrid or electric cars being mandatory by 2030
The survey was conducted by OnePoll.