Posted on 07/22/2004 8:37:25 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Worried about air pollution and related health problems, most Californians want lawmakers to make protecting the environment a top priority, even if it hinders economic growth, according to a poll released Thursday. The poll by the Public Policy Institute of California found wide support across racial, ethnic, regional and political lines for environmental protection programs to reduce air pollution, reduce auto emissions and develop alternative energy sources.
"As our state becomes more racially and ethnically diverse, concerns about environmental issues are being seen across a broad spectrum of the population," Mark Baldassare, the San Francisco-based institute's survey director, said in an interview.
The poll, which surveyed 2,505 residents in five languages, found that 54 percent of likely voters believe the environment should be a top policy priority, even at the expense of the economy. Fifty-five percent want funding for environmental protection programs to remain at current levels.
Among environmental issues, Californians ranked air pollution as their No. 1 concern, with 35 percent saying it was a big problem in their region and 59 percent saying it posed "at least a somewhat serious threat to themselves or their families," according to the poll.
Blacks and Latinos were most likely to see air pollution as a serious threat. Concern about it was highest among residents of the Central Valley and the Los Angeles County, where smog remains a major complaint.
Air quality worries may be linked to growing public support for laws and programs to reduce pollution. The poll found that 81 percent of residents support requiring automakers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in new cars by 2009. About 66 percent back a $6 increase in vehicle license fees to pay for cleaner engines on older diesel vehicles.
The poll also found that 63 percent of residents would seriously consider buying or leasing a hybrid vehicle, which runs on both gas and electricity, because of rising fuel prices. About two-thirds favor allowing hybrid cars in car pool lanes when driven alone.
Californians support Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposals to encourage development of alternative energy sources such as hydrogen fuel cells. But despite interest in his programs, only 37 percent of residents approved - while 27 percent disapproved - of the governor's handling of environmental issues, even though he enjoys a 64 percent approval rating among likely voters.
"They just don't see him as showing leadership on environmental issues at this point, even though they like some of his proposals and ideas," Baldassare said.
Terry Tamminen, secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency, said the poll validates Gov. Schwarzenegger's strong emphasis on environmental issues, pointing out that more Californians approve than disapprove of the governor's handling of the environment.
"The governor knows the environment has to be a very high priority," Tamminen said. "This is a case where we finally have a governor who's leading and understands the needs of the state."
The survey found Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry holding a sizable advantage over President Bush on environmental issues. About 56 percent of likely voters said they trusted Kerry on the environment, while only 32 percent said they approved of Bush's handing of environmental issues.
More than 80 percent of likely voters said a candidate's environmental positions were at least somewhat important to them in deciding for whom to vote, and 37 percent said it was very important.
Some environmentalists said the poll's findings should remind state politicians about how strongly Californians feel about the environment.
"The one big takeaway for lawmakers right now, especially during budget negotiations, is that voters and Californians really care about environmental protection," said Craig Noble, a spokesman for the Natural Resources Defense Council. "They want them to protect the air we breathe, the water we drink and the environment in general."
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On the Net:
Public Policy Institute of California: http://www.ppic.org
it always seems like "city idiots" who have NO IDEA what is really happening with the "environement" are the ones who complain the most...suggestions:
1) move out of the city
2) learn to hunt, trap, fish
3) quit whining.
Oh never mind. these types dont even have enough balls to even try the above.
The Capt.
FRom the Mercury News (excerpted)
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/9213545.htm
Schwarzenegger tops Bush in survey on environment
KEEPING DISTANCE FROM PRESIDENT MAY BE ADVANTAGE
By Paul Rogers
Mercury News
Californians have turned increasingly negative toward President Bush's handling of environmental issues, and give higher marks to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a fellow Republican, according to a new poll released today.
Overall, 53 percent of California residents said they disapprove of the president's views on the environment, with just 32 percent saying they approve. Only half as many Californians, 27 percent, say they disapprove of Schwarzenegger's handling of environmental issues, while 39 percent approve.
The poll by the Public Policy Institute of California, a non-partisan research center in San Francisco, surveyed 2,505 California residents by telephone between June 30 and July 14. With interviews conducted in five languages, it is among the largest statewide environmental surveys ever.
``Californians are looking to the state for environmental leadership,'' said Mark Baldassare, research director for the institute.
``It will be interesting to see how Arnold Schwarzenegger handles differences he might have with the White House. Our findings suggest the more he leans toward support of the president, the more support he will lose from independents and Democrats who are now viewing him favorably.''
Bush has clashed with California leaders on a number of environmental topics in recent years, including offshore oil drilling, increased logging in the Sierra Nevada, global warming and air pollution.
If economic growth is hindered, then there won't be the $$$ available for "clean air" technology.
Fine. We'll just send all those nasty, polluting, "jobs" to Arizona or India. Then you can enjoy your pristine environment while you sleep in your car (which will make a fine condo, since we don't want you running it anyway).
I'd love to hear how this question was phrased. Probably along the lines of, "Would you like more environmental regulation even at the expense of economic growth, or are you an idiot?"
Arnold is flirtting with becoming a 'girlie man' on this one himself if he caves to the enviro groups. What then?
I agree with that position but it's all a matter of degree.
The majority of Californians are the most brainwashed people in these United States. If there are bigger clods and oafs they are in hiding. These are cavemen who know how to turn on the electric light. They are perfecting Lenin's "useful idiot."
They are incapable of realizing free market approaches to the environment, which is why the majority favor the environment over economic growth. They are the perfect candidates for a soviet socialist republic. We may one day need to send in the Marines to clean out this Marxist hellhole.
If they choose, they could move to someplace where there isn't a house or freeway every ten feet.
Burn Baby Burn!
BTTT!!!!!!
That's been true of people I've met in California, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Washington. It's been true of acquaintances nationwide, even people who should know better.
Too bad the majority of Calfornians are from out of state, from places like Michigan.
Aren't you from Michigan?
The fault rests with conservatives who've allowed the Democrats to take over the environment by default. Unless we can show how we can take better care of it with free market approaches, we'll stand no chance of attaining a majority on the Left Coast.
You know that. I know that. I tell them that. They just sit there wishing they could go back to 1957 with their brains in park.
Yes, Joe, your perception is amazing - I'm from Michigan.
We here in Michigan haven't yet set up a soviet socialist republic, where unelected bureaucrats tell you whether you can or cannot cut a tree on your property. Here in Michigan we can cut a tree without crawling to some bureaucrat and begging his permission. And we don't set aside millions of acres for fairy shrimp. Nor do we set up fascist "no growth" zones. So the situation in California was not imported from Michigan, Joe.
When the citizens in California elect a Republican state house, a Republican state Senate and a Republican judiciary, you'll have made some progress in California. Let me know when that happens.
BTW, our governor is an import from the lovely city of Berkeley. She was elected by massive voter fraud. If you want her back, you can have her. I'll even pay the postage. :-)
Your governor is from Ontario, if I'm not mistaken. Which is east of Detroit when you cross over into Windsor. ;-)
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