Fossil Fuels

Nearly nine of every ten (87%) County residents believe that it is important for the United States to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels (58% Very important and 29% Somewhat important). This sentiment holds across party lines; a majority of Democrats (67%), Republicans (52%) and “Decline to state/others” (63%) express the belief that it is very important for the United States to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.

The most important reasons cited for reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, however, have to do with national security and the economy, not climate change or environmental degradation. A majority (56%) believe that it is very important to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels because it makes us dependent on foreign oil sources, and 57% say it is very important because our dependence on coal, oil, gasoline and natural gas contributes to terrorism by putting money in the hands of people who hate us. Fifty-seven percent view the negative impact on our economy (by forcing us to borrow money from nations such as China) as a very important reason for reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. Less than half (46%), however, endorse “Hurts the environment by increasing pollution and contributing to climate change” as a very important reason for reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. 

There is a significant difference among Republicans, Democrats and “other" (decline to states and members of other parties) regarding the reasons for reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. A majority of Democrats say that all four reasons are very important, whereas only 33% of Republicans and 51% of “Decline to state/other” voters state that it is "Very Important" to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels because it hurts the economy by increasing pollution and contributes to climate change. This is compared to 63% of Democrats cite climate change as a very important reason. This is due, perhaps, to the fact that Democrats are more convinced than Republicans and others that climate change has been established as a problem and immediate action is required. 

Reasons Cited as “Very Important” for Reducing our Dependence on Fossil Fuels.