Climate and clean energy legislation got strong support today from an unlikely source — Frank Luntz, the prominent Republican pollster.
Luntz's firm, The Word Doctors, just finished a national poll of more than 1,000 American voters. He unveiled the results of that poll [PDF] this morning at a news conference with EDF President Fred Krupp and NRG Energy's CEO David Crane.
The bottom line: Americans are eager for Congress to act on climate legislation that would promote energy independence and a healthier environment.
Luntz says:
Americans want their leaders to act on climate change – but not necessarily for the reasons you think. A clear majority of Americans believe climate change is happening. This is true of McCain voters and Obama voters alike.
And even those that don’t still believe it is essential for America to pursue policies that promote energy independence and a cleaner, healthier environment.
(You can play the audio of the entire event at the bottom of this post.)
Here are some of the most interesting results from the poll:
- A majority of Americans believe climate change is occurring and is caused at least in part by humans. Only a small minority — 18 percent — do not believe climate change is real. (Those numbers stay about the same if you call it "global warming.")
- 57 percent agreed with the statement: It doesn't matter if there is or isn't climate change. It is still in America's best interest to develop new sources of energy that are clean, reliable, efficient and safe.
- National security is the main reason that people support cap and trade. Across the demographic board, people liked the idea that clean energy will: liberate us from this oil addiction.
This is the latest in a long line of polls that show Americans want clean energy. But Luntz's reputation as longtime Republican advisor may give this one extra political resonance.
Luntz said his data shows a bipartisan consensus on the issue and provides a road map for getting legislation passed.
EDF's Fred Krupp summed it up:
Frank’s research proves that that no matter who Americans voted for in 2008, in 2010 they want to see Congress act on climate legislation. It’s a national security priority, it’s a crucial means to reduce pollution, and it’s essential to creating permanent American jobs.
Complete audio recording of the news conference.
Further information: