As the Democratic National Convention nears, a recent poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research reveals that Democrats have a slightly higher level of trust in Vice President Kamala Harris' ability to address climate change compared to President Joe Biden.
The survey indicates that 85% of Democrats have 'a lot' or 'some' trust in Harris to tackle climate change, while about three-quarters express the same level of trust in Biden. This sentiment is more pronounced among Democrats under 45, with approximately three-quarters placing their trust in Harris to handle climate issues, compared to about 6 in 10 for Biden. Older Democrats tend to trust either Biden or Harris more than their younger counterparts.
This finding suggests that Democrats may be making distinct evaluations of Harris on key issues rather than viewing her as interchangeable with Biden on policy matters, particularly on climate change, where many Democrats are eager to see government action. It also underscores the overall satisfaction Democrats have with Harris as their party's standard-bearer, presenting her with an opportunity to connect with younger Democrats who are particularly concerned about climate change.
The issue of climate change is widely acknowledged by Democrats, with 9 in 10 stating that it is happening, primarily due to human activities. About 7 in 10 Democrats have become more apprehensive about climate change over the past year and are calling for government intervention. Approximately 8 in 10 Democrats believe the federal government is not doing enough to combat climate change.
Younger Democrats, in particular, express heightened emotional responses to climate change, with about 6 in 10 describing feeling 'anxious' when contemplating the issue. They are also less likely to report feeling motivated or hopeful compared to older Democrats.
Looking ahead to the upcoming presidential election, about half of Americans view the outcome as extremely or very important for addressing climate change, with Democrats showing a higher level of concern compared to independents and Republicans. The role of the Supreme Court in potentially weakening environmental protections is a shared worry among Democrats.
Overall, Democrats are looking to Harris to lead the charge on climate change, with many expressing optimism about her potential impact and policy proposals. While some remain skeptical about the ability to make significant progress without Democratic control of Congress, there is a sense of hope that Harris, as a younger leader, may bring a more aggressive approach to addressing climate change.
