This post includes climate and environment headlines, data points, and key takeaways from recent public polls - including new polling about Trump’s plans for the EPA and new findings about climate change as an issue in the 2024 election.

HEADLINES

Environmental Protection Network – Voters across the political spectrum would rather see the EPA strengthened than cut, and want to see its new leadership focus on environmental protection rather than repealing regulations [Release, Deck]

Data for Progress – Voters oppose Lee Zeldin’s nomination to lead the EPA after learning about his record on the environment [Article, Crosstabs]

Navigator – Climate change was one of voters’ top reasons to support Harris over Trump [Release, Deck]

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Public health vs. corporate profits is a powerful frame for communicating about Trump’s EPA. The Environmental Protection Network finds that voters overwhelmingly want the EPA to remain focused on protecting clean air and water, not repealing regulations. And the large majority of voters, including nearly half of Trump voters, are concerned that Trump’s EPA will put corporate interests ahead of clean water, clean air, and public health. With Trump prepared to give free rein to the oil and gas industry, the idea that he’s putting oil and gas companies’ profits ahead of public health is a compelling narrative with which to explain his attempts to gut environmental protections and mobilize opposition to these actions – including from those who voted for him.
• Lee Zeldin is a blank state nationally, but voters can be moved to oppose his nomination by learning basics about his record. Data for Progress finds that voters have little familiarity with Zeldin, especially compared to many of Trump’s higher-profile picks for cabinet positions. This creates a window of opportunity for environmental advocates to define Zeldin in the public eye, and Data for Progress finds that basic information about his record – including his votes to cut EPA funding, eliminate programs that help protect people from hazardous chemicals, and block standards to reduce climate pollution – convinces voters to oppose his nomination.

GOOD DATA POINTS TO HIGHLIGHT

• [EPA] By a 69%-31% margin, voters say that the EPA’s next leader should focus on implementing environmental protections like the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act (69%) rather than focus on repealing regulations and cutting the EPA’s staff and budgets (31%) [Environmental Protection Network]
• [EPA] Voters are far more likely to say that the EPA should be strengthened (50%) or remain the same (36%) than to say that it should be weakened or eliminated (14%) [Environmental Protection Network]
• [EPA] Voters oppose Lee Zeldin’s nomination as EPA Administrator by a 15-point margin (36% support / 51% oppose) after reading a brief statement about his environmental record [Data for Progress]
• [Justice] 80% of voters support increasing federal funding to communities that are disproportionately harmed by air and water pollution [Environmental Protection Network]