A new survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research suggests that Vice President Kamala Harris has a slight edge over President Joe Biden when it comes to confidence among Democrats in addressing climate change. According to the poll, 85% of Democrats express “a lot” or “some” trust in Harris’ ability to tackle climate change, compared to approximately 75% who say the same about Biden.
The gap is even more pronounced among younger Democrats under the age of 45. In this demographic, about three-quarters trust Harris on climate issues, while only about 60% express similar confidence in Biden. This disparity points to a trend of Democrats evaluating Harris separately from Biden, especially on key issues like climate change where there is significant concern within the party.
The poll’s findings reflect a broader satisfaction with Harris’ leadership within the party, suggesting she may have a unique opportunity to engage with younger voters who are increasingly anxious about the state of the environment. With the November election looming, where Harris is set to face off against Republican nominee Donald Trump, this confidence could be pivotal.
Democrats’ concerns about climate change are evident across the board. The AP-NORC survey found that the majority of Democrats acknowledge the reality of climate change, with most attributing its primary cause to human activities. About 7 in 10 Democrats report that their concern about climate change has increased over the past year, and they are eager for stronger government action.
Furthermore, approximately 80% of Democrats believe the federal government is not doing enough to combat climate change. This sentiment is also shared, though to a lesser extent, by about 60% of independents and 30% of Republicans.
The emotional impact of climate change is also more acutely felt by younger Democrats. Around 60% of Democrats under 45 describe themselves as “anxious” about the issue, a stark contrast to the one-third of older Democrats who feel the same. This younger group is also less likely to feel hopeful, with 70% stating that “hopeful” does not describe their feelings well, compared to 45% of older Democrats.
As the election draws nearer, the issue of climate change remains a key concern for Democrats. The AP-NORC poll shows that about three-quarters of Democrats believe the outcome of the 2024 election will have a significant impact on climate change, compared to 44% of independents and just 20% of Republicans.
For first-time voter Nikolas Ostergard, a 21-year-old construction worker from Utah, Harris stands out as a more effective communicator than Biden. He is optimistic about her potential to have “an even better impact” on issues that matter to Democrats, including climate change. Ostergard is particularly interested in hearing Harris’ own environmental policy plans and believes she will be more receptive to public input than Biden.
The gap is even more pronounced among younger Democrats under the age of 45. In this demographic, about three-quarters trust Harris on climate issues, while only about 60% express similar confidence in Biden. This disparity points to a trend of Democrats evaluating Harris separately from Biden, especially on key issues like climate change where there is significant concern within the party.
The poll’s findings reflect a broader satisfaction with Harris’ leadership within the party, suggesting she may have a unique opportunity to engage with younger voters who are increasingly anxious about the state of the environment. With the November election looming, where Harris is set to face off against Republican nominee Donald Trump, this confidence could be pivotal.
Democrats’ concerns about climate change are evident across the board. The AP-NORC survey found that the majority of Democrats acknowledge the reality of climate change, with most attributing its primary cause to human activities. About 7 in 10 Democrats report that their concern about climate change has increased over the past year, and they are eager for stronger government action.
Furthermore, approximately 80% of Democrats believe the federal government is not doing enough to combat climate change. This sentiment is also shared, though to a lesser extent, by about 60% of independents and 30% of Republicans.
The emotional impact of climate change is also more acutely felt by younger Democrats. Around 60% of Democrats under 45 describe themselves as “anxious” about the issue, a stark contrast to the one-third of older Democrats who feel the same. This younger group is also less likely to feel hopeful, with 70% stating that “hopeful” does not describe their feelings well, compared to 45% of older Democrats.
As the election draws nearer, the issue of climate change remains a key concern for Democrats. The AP-NORC poll shows that about three-quarters of Democrats believe the outcome of the 2024 election will have a significant impact on climate change, compared to 44% of independents and just 20% of Republicans.
For first-time voter Nikolas Ostergard, a 21-year-old construction worker from Utah, Harris stands out as a more effective communicator than Biden. He is optimistic about her potential to have “an even better impact” on issues that matter to Democrats, including climate change. Ostergard is particularly interested in hearing Harris’ own environmental policy plans and believes she will be more receptive to public input than Biden.
