| 摘要 | In the April issue of AEI’s Political Report, we look at deep divisions between the two political parties over climate change. We review early impressions of the Green New Deal and examine the wide and growing partisan gap in concerns about climate change and in beliefs about its consequences, causes, and what should be done to address it. In the issue, we also examine Americans’ views about NATO on the 70th anniversary of the alliance and look at opinions of the 2017 tax reform law and President Donald Trump’s handling of taxes.
The Green New Deal
Less than a quarter of Americans said they had heard “a lot” in the news about the Green New Deal after it was announced in February, and 4 in 10 said they had heard nothing at all (Economist/YouGov). Democrats were supportive of the idea, and Republicans were opposed, but, overall, more than 2 in 10 said they were not sure or did not have an opinion (Economist/YouGov; Politico/ Morning Consult).
Climate change: Wide gaps between Democrats and Republicans
Democrats and Republicans tend to be farther apart on climate change than they are on other current policy issues when asked about their concerns and top priorities (Pew Research Center; Fox News). Democrats are much more likely than Republicans to worry about climate change and to believe global warming will pose a serious threat in their lifetimes (Gallup). Partisan differences in concern about the issue have grown over time (Gallup; NBC News/Wall Street Journal).
In questions about the severity of hurricanes and other recent weather events, large majorities of Democrats say the severity of such events is related to global warming or climate change, while most Republicans do not see a relationship (CBS News; Quinnipiac University; Economist/YouGov).
Most Democrats think it is caused more by pollution from human activities, while a majority of Republicans think it is mostly the result of natural changes in the environment (Gallup; CBS News). The partisan gap in beliefs about the causes has widened in recent years (Gallup).
Most Democrats express more concern about the financial costs of failing to address climate change, while Republicans worry more about the costs of regulations to address it (NBC News/Wall Street Journal). In a March Gallup survey that asked about how new environmental and energy laws designed to reduce global warming will affect the economy, a plurality of Democrats (49 percent) said such laws will help the economy, while most Republicans (55 percent) said such laws will hurt the economy. A March 2019 Gallup survey shows partisans at odds about proposals to reduce the use of fossil fuels, but on a different question, Democrats, independents, and Republicans agree that the United States should put more emphasis than it does now on producing energy from solar power and wind.
NATO at 70
More than 7 in 10 Americans want to maintain the NATO alliance. This includes large majorities of Democrats and Republicans (Gallup). Most Americans want to maintain our current commitment to the alliance. Only small shares want to increase our commitment or to withdraw from NATO entirely (Chicago Council).
Tax reform and Trump’s handling of taxes
The 2017 tax reform law gets mixed reviews in recent polls, and responses have not shifted much since the law was passed. Opinion is closely divided, with recent Economist/YouGov online surveys showing disapproval slightly outweighing approval, while a recent CNN survey showed a more positive assessment. More people disapprove than approve of the way President Donald Trump is handling taxes, and his ratings on the issue are similar to his overall approval ratings (Gallup; Fox News).
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