Note: Register now for RFF’s First Wednesday Seminar on February 4, Toward a Global Climate Change Agreement: Comparing Countries’ Levels of Effort.
In this edition:
- Results from an RFF/NYTimes/Stanford poll on American attitudes on climate change
- Commentary on China’s ability to chart a path toward green growth
RFF/NYTimes/Stanford Climate Poll
On Friday, the New York Times published results from a new poll on American attitudes toward climate change, conducted by the Times, RFF, and Stanford University. The findings revealed that “an overwhelming majority of the American public, including nearly half of Republicans,” is in favor of government action to mitigate climate change.
The survey also showed that two-thirds of Americans would be more likely to support political candidates who want to combat climate change—a result that “could have implications for the 2016 presidential campaign.” In a press release on the poll’s results, RFF president Phil Sharp said, "The American people seem far more unified than our political leadership on the need to address climate change. As often happens, politicians would do well to catch up with the electorate.” The poll is the latest in a series by RFF and Stanford, and can be found at www.rff.org/climatesurvey.
Beijing Smog Challenges
The mayor of Beijing recently stated that “Beijing is not a liveable city” due to consistently dangerous levels of smog generated by factories and vehicles. He also condemned the practice of allowing high-pollution businesses to “irresponsibly relocate” to nearby areas in lieu of shutting down.
China’s severe pollution problems have “spawn[ed] interest in the potential for green growth strategies,” according to RFF’s Mun Ho and Zhongmin Wang. In the new issue of Resources, they note that the China’s governance structures, which have historically “prioritized GDP growth over environmental protection,” will need to change in order for the country to successfully pursue a path toward growth that supports both the economy and the environment.
