Whether you think climate change affects you personally, and what should be done about it, depends largely on where in Florida you live, how old you are, and your political affiliation.
Some key areas of agreement found in a recent public opinion poll assessing Floridians’ views of climate change, potential solutions, and what they expect from their leaders:
More than half of Florida voters believe extreme weather events — such as hurricanes, red tides and forest fires — are increasing because of climate change. Three in 10 disagree.
Almost seven in 10 voters believe human activity is playing a role in climate change. Two in 10 disagree.
Differences
Despite overall agreement that climate change is a problem, the poll also found sharply divergent views based on where people live, political affiliations and age.
For example, there are big differences in how various voting blocs respond to the assertion that “the effects of climate change have or will impact me personally.”
Among voters age 18-34, 71% agreed. Among those 65 and older, 45% agree.
Among Democrats, 80% agree. Among Republicans, 29% agree.
Desired action
A majority of Floridians believes climate change is a problem, and something should be done about it. A majority of Florida voters favors a “balanced approach that protects both the economy and environment.” That tack is favored by 55% of voters.
The biggest supporters of that view are Republicans, with 61% holding that view.
A far more radical approach is favored by some: 28% support “immediate action to stop climate change no matter the economic costs.” That view has support of 51% of Democrats.
About half that many voters, 14%, are at the other extreme. They believe climate change “isn’t real, it’s a political stunt used to push extreme agendas.” About 30% of Republicans hold that view. Only 2% of Democrats feel that way.
Extreme weather
A majority of Florida voters, 55%, think extreme weather events are increasing because of climate change, while 30% disagree. The question is one in which different groups have divergent views.
Those who agree the most are 18- to 34-year-olds (72%), 35- to 49-year-olds (64%), Democrats (86%), and political independents (62%). The only broad disagreement was from Republicans, 53% of whom disagreed.
Human responsibility
Two-thirds of Floridians (67%) believe human activities are playing a role in climate change, compared to 19% who disagree.
Although Republicans are the most skeptical group, more agree that human activity plays a role than disagree, 42% to 33%.
Among Democrats, 90% say human activity is playing a role. That view is supported by 82% of 18- to 34-year-olds, 80% of 35- to 49-year-olds, 63% of 50- to 64-year-olds, and 56% of people 65 and older.
Alex Flint, executive director of the organization that commissioned the poll, the Alliance for Market Solutions, said he sees the age breakdowns as significant — because it’s not just the youngest group of voters who see climate change as critical.
North vs. South
Location correlates with concern or skepticism about climate change. Questions throughout the survey found people in South Florida have a greater concern than people in North Florida. Central Florida, from Orlando to the Atlantic Coast, is in between.
Asked if an increase in extreme weather events can be blamed on climate change, 63% in South Florida, 51% in Central Florida and 46% in North Florida agree.
Asked if human activity plays a role in climate change, 74% in South Florida, 67% in Central Florida and 55% in North Florida agree.
Asked if they feel or anticipate a personal impact from climate change, 59% in South Florida, 53% in Orlando, and 48% in North Florida agree.
The politics
No one knows how coronavirus will alter the 2020 political landscape. Before concern ramped up last month, the polling found 70% of voters prefer congressional candidates who acknowledge climate change and want to do something about it.
If there is some normalcy in the November elections, unlike the coronavirus-stunted presidential primary in March, Flint said there is a group of swing voters who care about climate change. It could be an issue “that moves a narrow but decisive group of voters in the fall elections.”
A majority of voters surveyed — 56% — felt President Donald Trump isn’t doing enough to address climate change, with 34% said he’s doing the right amount. About 1% said he’s doing too much.
Trump’s handling of climate change tracks voters’ overall views of the president. The poll found 51% had a unfavorable view of Trump and 47% views him favorably.
The organization that commissioned the survey, the Alliance for Market Solutions, isn’t neutral.
Its leadership includes representatives of the business, conservative and Republican political worlds that supports climate science, and the organization hopes to use survey results to push market-oriented approaches.
For example, it wants less regulation but advocates a carbon tax — one that wouldn’t increase overall government income.
A prime target: Republican political leaders. “Our view is that we have to take climate science seriously, that the [Republican] Party has to constructively engage on climate change because it is becoming an increasingly urgent issue,” Flint said.
Fine print
The results come from a survey of 808 likely general election voters conducted online and through automated calls to people with landline telephones from March 9-11, just before the new coronavirus became a life-altering and critical issue for Floridians.
It had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. Breakdowns for smaller groups, such as Democrats, Republicans, different age groups and residents of different regions, have higher margins of error.
The survey was conducted by the polling and research firm Cygnal, which has a high grade, “A/B” from FiveThirtyEight.com for data gathering and accuracy.
Anthony Man can be reached at aman@sunsentinel.com or on Twitter @browardpolitics
