MWR Strategies
March 2008
N = 1000 interviews w/registered voters
Margin of error = + 3.1%
PERSONAL/CONFIDENTIAL
MWR Strategies
1406 Goswick Ridge Road
Midlothian, VA 23114
Hello, my name is ______and I am calling from ______, a market research firm. This is not a sales call; we are conducting a national survey of voters and would just like to get your opinion on important issues. This is a short survey and will only take about elevenminutes. [DO NOT PAUSE]
1.Are you or is someone in your household registered to vote?
100%YES
0%NO [THANKED AND TERMINATED]
2.What is the most important issue facing the United States right now? [OPEN CODE]
44%THE ECONOMY
19%THE WAR IN IRAQ
6%NATIONAL SECURITY
5%ENERGY
5%HEALTH CARE
4%TERRORISM
3%MORAL DECLINE
3%IMMIGRATION
2%THE ENVIRONMENT
1%HOUSING CRISIS
1%TAXES
1%EDUCATION
7%OTHER
3.And the second most important?
26%THE WAR IN IRAQ
24%THE ECONOMY
10%HEALTH CARE
5%NATIONAL SECURITY
5%ENERGY
4%IMMIGRATION
3%TERRORISM
3%EDUCATION
2%THE ENVIRONMENT
2%TAXES
1%MORAL DECLINE
1%SOCIAL SECURITY
1%CRIME
1%HOUSING CRISIS
9%OTHER
3%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
[COMBO – FIRST AND SECOND MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES COMBINED]
68%THE ECONOMY
45%THE WAR IN IRAQ
15%HEALTH CARE
11%NATIONAL SECURITY
10%ENERGY
7%TERRORISM
7%IMMIGRATION
4%MORAL DECLINE
4%THE ENVIRONMENT
4%EDUCATION
3%TAXES
2%HOUSING CRISIS
1%CRIME
1%SOCIAL SECURITY
7%OTHER
2%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
4.Thinking about environmental issues for a moment, what would you say is the most important environmental issue facing the United States right now? [OPEN CODE]
25%CLIMATE CHANGE
13%CLEAN AIR
12%CLEAN WATER
7%NEED FOR ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF ENERGY
4%DRINKING WATER
4%RECYCLING
4%NEED FOR ENERGY INDEPENDENCE
16%OTHER
15%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
5.And what will be the most important environmental issue or challenge facing the United States in the long-term?
28%CLIMATE CHANGE
10%CLEAN WATER
10%CLEAN AIR
7%NEED FOR ALTERNATIVE SOURCE OF ENERGY
5%DRINKING WATER
5%ENERGY NEEDS IN GENERAL
4%NEED FOR ENERGY INDEPENDENCE
3%RECYCLING
2%POLLUTION IN GENERAL
13%OTHER
13%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
6.Which of the following do you think is the most pressing or urgent global problem? [ROTATED]
32%CURING DISEASE AND PROVIDING SUFFICIENT MEDICAL CARE
25%FEEDING THE HUNGRY AND MALNOURISHED
22%PROVIDING SAFE DRINKING WATER
16%GLOBAL WARMING
3%OTHER [NOT READ]
3%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
7.What is most important aspect of the energy we use in the United States?[OPEN CODE]
24%AFFORDABILITY OR COST
13%WHETHER IT IS DOMESTIC OR IMPORTED
12%ITS ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECT
11%RELIABILITY
7%NEED FOR ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
6%NEED TO USE MORE EFFICIENTLY
10%OTHER
17%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
8.How important is affordable energy to our economy?
89%VERY
8%SOMEWHAT
2%A LITTLE
1%NOT AT ALL
1%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
9.What percentage of our energy do you think comes from renewable or alternative energy sources? I just need your best guess.
23.6MEAN
18MEDIAN
10.[VERSION A] Which of the following is most likely to lead towards solutions to global warming and other environmental challenges? [ROTATED]
37%CONSUMER DEMAND FOR ENVIRONMENTALLY BETTER AND MORE EFFICIENT PRODUCTS
35%SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS DEVELOPING BETTER TECHNOLOGIES
19%GOVERNMENT POLICIES
5%OTHER [NOT READ]
4%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
[VERSION B] Which of the following is most likely to lead to the technological improvements we need to address global warming?
57%CONSUMER DEMAND FOR MORE EFFICIENT AND ENVIRONMENTALLY BETTER PRODUCTS
37%GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND MANDATES
2%OTHER [NOT READ]
5%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
Science
11.Thinking about global warming for a moment, on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is not at all certain and 10 is completely certain, how certain do you think the science of global warming is?
5.8MEAN
6.0MEDIAN
12.On that same scale, if you knew that efforts by the government to reduce global warming would result in the loss of [SPLIT SAMPLE][some] jobs nationwide, how certain would the science of global warming have to be for those job losses to be justifiable?
7.4MEAN
8.0MEDIAN
On that same scale, if you knew that efforts by the government to reduce global warming would result in the loss of [SPLIT SAMPLE][100,000] jobs nationwide, how certain would the science of global warming have to be for those job losses to be justifiable?
7.3MEAN
8.0MEDIAN
13.On that same scale, if efforts by the government to reduce global warming resulted in [SPLIT SAMPLE] [higher prices] for things like gasoline, electricity, and natural gas, how certain would the science of global warming have to be for those higher prices to be justifiable?
7.6MEAN
8.0MEDIAN
On that same scale, if efforts by the government to reduce global warming resulted in [SPLIT SAMPLE] [price increases of 15%] for things like gasoline, electricity, and natural gas, how certain would the science of global warming have to be for those higher prices to be justifiable?
7.5MEAN
8.0MEDIAN
14.On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is not very urgent and 10 is extremely urgent, how urgent is it that we address global warming?
6.5MEAN
7.0MEDIAN
[VERSION A, QUESTIONS 15 THROUGH 18]
15.Do you think carbon emissions in Europe have . . . in the last 10 years?
37%INCREASED
21%DECREASED
16%STAYED THE SAME
25%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
16.And by what percentage? I just need your best guess.[AMONG THOSE SAYING INCREASED]
36MEAN
30MEDIAN
And by what percentage? I just need your best guess. [AMONG THOSE SAYING DECREASED]
29.4MEAN
20MEDIAN
17.And have carbon emissions in United States . . . in the same timeframe?
63%INCREASED
17%DECREASED
16%STAYED THE SAME
4%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
18.And by what percentage?[AMONG THOSE SAYING INCREASED]
33.5MEAN
25MEDIAN
And by what percentage? I just need your best guess. [AMONG THOSE SAYING DECREASED]
22.7MEAN
20MEDIAN
[VERSION B]
Who is doing a better job of addressing global warming?
44%THE EUROPEAN UNION
25%THE UNITED STATES
31%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
19.Can you tell me how many billions of dollars the United States government is spending each year to address climate change?
21.67MEAN
3.0MEDIAN
[NOTE: 42% OF RESPONDENTS EITHER DID NOT KNOW OR REFUSED TO ANSWER]
I am going to read you a list of actions that the United States government is currently doing to address climate change. For each one, I would like you to tell me whether it is . . . [QUESTIONS 20 THROUGH 29 ROTATED]
20.Increased fuel mileage standards for all cars, including SUVs
72%VERY IMPORTANT
19%SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT
91%TOTAL IMPORTANT
5%NOT VERY IMPORTANT
4%NOT AT ALL IMPORTANT
9%TOTAL NOT IMPORTANT
1%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
21.New efficiency standards for buildings
52%VERY IMPORTANT
38%SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT
90%TOTAL IMPORTANT
5%NOT VERY IMPORTANT
3%NOT AT ALL IMPORTANT
8%TOTAL NOT IMPORTANT
1%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
22.New efficiency standards for appliances
48%VERY IMPORTANT
38%SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT
86%TOTAL IMPORTANT
10%NOT VERY IMPORTANT
4%NOT AT ALL IMPORTANT
14%TOTAL NOT IMPORTANT
1%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
23.Tax credits for companies to invest in renewable power sources
52%VERY IMPORTANT
34%SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT
86%TOTAL IMPORTANT
8%NOT VERY IMPORTANT
5%NOT AT ALL IMPORTANT
13%TOTAL NOT IMPORTANT
1%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
24.Spending about 4 billion dollars a year for research into alternative energy sources
55%VERY IMPORTANT
31%SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT
86%TOTAL IMPORTANT
6%NOT VERY IMPORTANT
6%NOT AT ALL IMPORTANT
12%TOTAL NOT IMPORTANT
2%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
25.Better tax treatment for companies who install new technologies
45%VERY IMPORTANT
40%SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT
85%TOTAL IMPORTANT
9%NOT VERY IMPORTANT
4%NOT AT ALL IMPORTANT
13%TOTAL NOT IMPORTANT
2%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
26.Tax credits for solar panels
45%VERY IMPORTANT
37%SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT
82%TOTAL IMPORTANT
10%NOT VERY IMPORTANT
7%NOT AT ALL IMPORTANT
17%TOTAL NOT IMPORTANT
1%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
27.Tax credits for hybrid and electric cars.
39%VERY IMPORTANT
37%SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT
76%TOTAL IMPORTANT
14%NOT VERY IMPORTANT
8%NOT AT ALL IMPORTANT
22%TOTAL NOT IMPORTANT
1%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
28.Requirements for a percentage of government cars to be hybrids
39%VERY IMPORTANT
34%SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT
73%TOTAL IMPORTANT
16%NOT VERY IMPORTANT
10%NOT AT ALL IMPORTANT
26%TOTAL NOT IMPORTANT
1%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
29.Phasing out traditional light bulbs
35%VERY IMPORTANT
36%SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT
71%TOTAL IMPORTANT
15%NOT VERY IMPORTANT
12%NOT AT ALL IMPORTANT
27%TOTAL NOT IMPORTANT
2%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
Conflict
30.Which is more important to you, addressing global warming or reducing our reliance on foreign sources of energy?
20%ADDRESSING GLOBAL WARMING
72%REDUCING OUR RELIANCE ON IMPORTED ENERGY
7%BOTH [NOT READ]
2%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
31.Would you support a global warming plan that resulted in increasing our dependence on foreign sources of energy?
71%NO
22%YES
4%MAYBE/DEPENDS [NOT READ]
3%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
I am going to read you three statements. For each one I would like you to tell me whether you . . . with it. [QUESTIONS 32 THROUGH 34 ROTATED]
32.Societies and nations that are better-off economically tend to be able to do more to improve the environment.
32%STRONGLY AGREE
49%AGREE
81%TOTAL AGREE
13%DISAGREE
3%STRONGLY DISAGREE
16%TOTAL DISAGREE
1%HAVE NO OPINION ABOUT [NOT READ]
1%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
33.The United States should show leadership on global warming, even if nations like China and India do not follow our example.
42%STRONGLY AGREE
36%AGREE
78%TOTAL AGREE
13%DISAGREE
7%STRONGLY DISAGREE
20%TOTAL DISAGREE
1%HAVE NO OPINION ABOUT [NOT READ]
1%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
34.America should put more emphasis on domestic energy sources like coal, even if that means we move more slowly on meeting environmental goals.
20%STRONGLY AGREE
38%AGREE
58%TOTAL AGREE
29%DISAGREE
10%STRONGLY DISAGREE
39%TOTAL DISAGREE
1%HAVE NO OPINION ABOUT [NOT READ]
2%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
35.Thinking about actions to reduce carbon and address global warming, if the federal government requires energy companies to take actions that cost them money, how likely is it that those companies will pass along increased costs to consumers in electric bills, gasoline prices, and home heating bills?
81%VERY
13%SOMEWHAT
3%NOT VERY
3%NOT AT ALL
1%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
36.Is the economy strong enough right now to incur the additional costs associated with addressing global warming?
28%YES
65%NO
4%MAYBE/DEPENDS [NOT READ]
3%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
37.How much would you personally be willing to pay each year, either in higher gasoline prices, higher electricity prices, or higher heating bills, to address global warming? I just need an amount in dollars.
554 DOLLARSMEAN
50 DOLLARSMEDIAN
[NOTE: 70% OF RESPONDENTS WERE AT $500 OR LESS; JUST 18% RESPONDED MORE THAN $500; 35% RESPONDED ZERO]
38.Most economists agree that the United States will incur some lost jobs as a result of addressing global warming. How many jobs nationwide do you think we should be prepared to lose as an acceptable cost for reducing carbon emissions by as much as 80%?
426,000 JOBSMEAN
1,000 JOBSMEDIAN
[NOTE: 65% OF RESPONDENTS WERE AT 100,000; JUST 5% SAID ONE MILLION OR MORE; 35% RESPONDED ZERO]
The United States Senate is considering legislation to reduce carbon emissions by placing limits on how much carbon can be emitted by electric utilities, refineries, and natural gas companies. I am going to read you five statements about the legislation. For each one I would like you to tell me whether it makes you . . . to support the legislation. [QUESTIONS 39 THROUGH 43 ROTATED]
39.Economists have testified that the legislation would result in somewhere between 1 million and 2.5 million jobs being lost as businesses move overseas and American products become less competitive.
9%MUCH MORE LIKELY
12%SOMEWHAT MORE LIKELY
21%TOTAL MORE LIKELY
25%SOMEWHAT LESS LIKELY
47%MUCH LESS LIKELY
72%TOTAL LESS LIKELY
2%HAS NO EFFECT [NOT READ]
5%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
40.The additional costs to the average household as a result of increased prices for electricity, for gasoline, and for home heating would be [SPLIT SAMPLE][one thousand] dollars each year.
12%MUCH MORE LIKELY
25%SOMEWHAT MORE LIKELY
37%TOTAL MORE LIKELY
21%SOMEWHAT LESS LIKELY
37%MUCH LESS LIKELY
58%TOTAL LESS LIKELY
2%HAS NO EFFECT [NOT READ]
3%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
The additional costs to the average household as a result of increased prices for electricity, for gasoline, and for home heating would be [SPLIT SAMPLE][three thousand] dollars each year.
10%MUCH MORE LIKELY
15%SOMEWHAT MORE LIKELY
25%TOTAL MORE LIKELY
24%SOMEWHAT LESS LIKELY
47%MUCH LESS LIKELY
71%TOTAL LESS LIKELY
1%HAS NO EFFECT [NOT READ]
3%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
41.The legislation would reduce global average temperatures by between 0 and seven one-hundredths of a degree by 2030, compared with an increase of 7-tenths of a degree in the last 100 years.
15%MUCH MORE LIKELY
28%SOMEWHAT MORE LIKELY
43%TOTAL MORE LIKELY
21%SOMEWHAT LESS LIKELY
24%MUCH LESS LIKELY
45%TOTAL LESS LIKELY
4%HAS NO EFFECT [NOT READ]
8%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
42.Because companies would have to purchase the rights to emit carbon from the federal government, the government would gain 150 billion dollars each year in additional revenue under the legislation.
16%MUCH MORE LIKELY
28%SOMEWHAT MORE LIKELY
44%TOTAL MORE LIKELY
20%SOMEWHAT LESS LIKELY
29%MUCH LESS LIKELY
49%TOTAL LESS LIKELY
1%HAS NO EFFECT [NOT READ]
6%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
43.The legislation would reduce carbon emissions in the US by 80% by 2050.
26%MUCH MORE LIKELY
35%SOMEWHAT MORE LIKELY
61%TOTAL MORE LIKELY
14%SOMEWHAT LESS LIKELY
20%MUCH LESS LIKELY
34%TOTAL LESS LIKELY
2%HAS NO EFFECT [NOT READ]
4%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
44.Finally, thinking generally about global warming, some people say that [READ SCRIPT A] while others say that [READ SCRIPT B]. Which of them comes closest to your thoughts? [SCRIPTS ROTATED]
Script A
We need to keep improving our understanding of the science of global warming. We need to keep enhancing our energy efficiency, developing better ways to use our current resources, and discovering new ways to harness the energy we need. We have done some significant things in the last few years, like providing tax credits for renewable energy sources and improving fuel mileage standards for cars. We need to make sure that new technologies are brought on-line as quickly as possible. And we need to remain flexible in our response to the energy and environmental challenges we face.
Script B
With respect the global warming, the science is settled and we need to move aggressively. The truth is that we are not making as much progress as we should. We need to show leadership, and we need to make sure that we participate fully in the global discussions on how best to combat global warming. The only way companies are going to reduce their emissions is if we require them to. While voluntary measures are good and can be helpful, the simple reality is that companies and people only change how they act if they are required to.
48%SCRIPT A
43%SCRIPT B
9%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
45.To help reduce carbon emissions, which of the following would you prefer? [ROTATED]
33%TAXES ON GASOLINE, ELECTRICITY BILLS, AND HOME HEATING BILLS, WITH THE MONEY TO BE USED FOR ENHANCING EFFICIENCY AND DEVELOPING NEW TECHNOLOGIES
20%TAXES ON GASOLINE, ELECTRICITY BILLS, AND HOME HEATING BILLS, WITH THE MONEY BEING USED TO REDUCE TAXPAYERS’ INCOME OR PAYROLL TAXES
19%GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS ON COMPANIES WHO WOULD PASS ALONG THE COSTS OF MEETING THOSE REGULATIONS TO CONSUMERS THROUGH HIGHER PRICES FOR GASOLINE PRICES, ELECTRICITY, AND HOME HEATING
21%NONE OF THE ABOVE [NOT READ]
7%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
Finally, we have just a few questions for demographic purposes . . .
46.What is your age please?
12%UNDER 35
34%35 TO 54
52%55 AND OVER
2%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
47.What is your race or ethnic background?
83%WHITE
8%AFRICAN AMERICAN
1%ASIAN
4%HISPANIC
2%OTHER [NOT READ]
3%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
48.With respect to politics, would you describe yourself as . . .?
30%CONSERVATIVE
13%SOMEWHAT CONSERVATIVE
27%MODERATE
11%SOMEWHAT LIBERAL
13%LIBERAL
6%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
49.Who did you vote for in the 2004 Presidential election?
49%GEORGE BUSH
33%JOHN KERRY
5%OTHER [NOT READ]
13%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
50.Which of the following most closely describes the highest level of education you have achieved?
4%SOME HIGH SCHOOL
16%HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA
27%SOME COLLEGE
25%COLLEGE DEGREE
9%SOME POSTGRADUATE WORK
17%GRADUATE OR PROFESSIONAL DEGREE
2%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
51.Into which category does your annual household income fall? Just stop me when I get to right category.
24%LESS THAN $40,000
35%$40 TO $80,000
30%MORE THAN $80,000
11%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
52.How frequently do you attend church services?
14%MORE THAN ONCE A WEEK
29%ABOUT ONCE A WEEK
15%ONCE OR TWICE A MONTH
23%RARELY
16%NEVER
4%DON’T KNOW/REFUSED [NOT READ]
53.Region [FROM LIST]
21%EAST
23%INDUSTRIAL MIDWEST
18%WEST/MIDWEST
26%SOUTH
13%PACIFIC
54.Gender [BY OBSERVATION]
48%MALE
52%FEMALE
______
Page 1
MWR/IER
March 2008