Polls on the environment, energy, global warming and nuclear power

Download PDF In this annual compilation of polling data includes six major sections on the environment, key issues and findings include: 

 * In most polls, President Obama is receiving positive marks on the environment. In the February 2012 AP-GfK/Roper poll, 57 percent approved but 40 percent disapproved of his handling of the issue. In the March 2012 Pew poll, ratings of his handling of energy policy were even lower: 42 percent approved and 45 percent disapproved.

 * The environment is not an issue on the front burner for most Americans today. In Pew’s 2012 question about priorities for President Obama and Congress, 43 percent said “protecting the environment” should be a top priority. As a point of comparison, 86 percent said strengthening the nation’s economy should be a top priority.

 * Global warming doesn’t rank at or near the top of issues people want the president and Congress to address. In January 2012, 25 percent said global warming should be a top priority, ranking at the bottom in terms of top priorities.

 * President Obama is getting low marks on his handling of gas prices. In a February 2012 AP/GfK-Roper poll, 39 percent approved of the job he is doing in this area. Significant majorities say rising gas prices have caused difficulties in their households.

 * The majority of Americans still think nuclear power is safe. In a March 2012 Gallup poll, 57 percent favored using nuclear energy as one way to provide electricity for the United States. But people still wouldn’t want to build a nuclear plant in their backyard. Only 35 percent told CBS pollsters in March 2011 that they would approve of a nuclear power plant in their community, and 62 percent disapproved.

 * Americans like an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy that includes more energy production, developing alternative energy sources, more conservation and nuclear power.