WHO CARES?

Do Americans really care about climate change?

It’s a simple question.

With a very complicated answer.

A half dozen public polls recently have tried to sort through this question.

A majority of the American public is now quite concerned about climate impacts.

Why? Because they’re seeing climate impacts every day now, the AP reports.

Blistering heat waves.

Mega-droughts.

Torrential rains and super floods.

Oil and gas companies extract, refine and sell fossil fuels.

Fossil fuels cause most of the global warming that’s over-heating the planet we live on.

And two-thirds of Americans now say oil and gas companies are to blame, the Guardian says.

A third recent poll says more Americans say they’ll pay for climate solutions.

A fourth says most Americans see climate as an extremely important issue.

And a fifth shows a substantial public shift on clean energy, EVs and climate.

So…we’re all in agreement in America?

Not so fast.

The Guardian also asked about the fossil fuel industry: Are they to blame?

YES, say Democratic and Independent voters.

Carbon pollution has a cost.

Industries that profit from fossil fuels should pay those costs.

NO, say Republican voters.

Fossil fuel PR and advertising messaging has won over GOP voters.

They like clean energy — in theory.

But oil and gas messaging has convinced GOP voters that a rapid shift will harm the economy.

So…do most Americans really care about climate change?

Yes, they do.

Most Americans now know climate change is real; we’re causing it; and we need to act.

The climate science question is largely settled.

Everyone generally loves the concept of clean, renewable energy.

But the POLITICAL fight over shifting from old energy sources to new ones?

It’s just beginning.