Most Americans want stricter pollution standards for power plants even if it increases their electricity cost, according to a new poll.
The joint George Mason University-Yale University poll found a majority of those surveyed support President Obama’s executive actions to address climate change through emissions curbs. A full two-thirds of respondents backed carbon emissions limits on power plants even when told such measures would raise power prices.
An overwhelming majority — 86 percent — said the United States should take action to address global warming even if it has economic costs. On top of that, 57 percent said the U.S. should do so even if others don’t.
The polling comes as the incoming GOP-controlled Congress prepares to take whacks at Obama’s climate change initially. An Environmental Protection Agency proposal to slash carbon emissions from the electricity sector 30 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 will be a primary target.
Fifty-six percent of Americans are at least “somewhat worried” about climate change, with 11 percent saying they’re “very worried” about it. But just half the respondents said that humans are largely to blame for climate change — even despite a scientific consensus that humans are driving a warming planet — while 32 percent said it’s due mostly to natural changes in the environment.
This poll of 1,275 adults, aged 18 and older, was conducted Oct. 17-28.
