Twenty years ago, in a notable bipartisan effort, California established a landmark climate law—the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. Today, our July survey finds that 75% of Californians believe that this law has been “mostly a good thing” for the state. But economic and political conditions are limiting the public’s endorsement of other state policies and their participation in achieving climate-related goals. Rising oil prices and the end of federal tax credits for home solar projects and electric vehicles have fed concerns about energy affordability, even as baseline beliefs about climate change persist. How can California navigate the energy transition in these turbulent times? We believe that encouraging civic engagement is one way forward.

First, let’s look at public opinion over two decades. It’s been very stable on a number of environmental issues. Most Californians believe that

• the effects of climate change have already begun (60% 2026, 63% 2006),
• climate change is a serious threat to the economy and quality of life for California’s future (78% 2026, 79% 2006),
• the state government should make its own policies, separate from the federal government, to address the issues of climate change (65% 2026, 65% 2006).

This year, half or more across demographic groups and state regions hold these views while partisans are divided.

Today, majorities of Californians express clear priorities around approaches to energy policy. For example, 70% believe that developing alternative sources such as solar and wind power are more important for addressing America’s energy supply than expanding exploration and production of oil, natural gas, and coal. Californians also side with the state over the federal government in current energy policy disagreements: residents overwhelmingly favor allowing wind power and wave energy projects (73%) and strongly oppose more offshore oil drilling (63%) along the California coast. Moreover, Californians are much more likely to approve of Governor Newsom (51%) and the state legislature (48%) than President Trump (25%) and Congress (19%) when it comes to handling environmental issues. However, a deep partisan divide exists across approval ratings and government trust.

But when it comes to some state energy policies, public endorsement is wavering. Californians’ support has slipped for

• 100% renewable energy by 2045 (62% 2026, 72% 2018),
• net zero greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible but no later than 2045 (65% 2026, 69% 2023),
• the executive order banning the sale of all new gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035 (32% 2026, 49% 2021).

Affordability has become a dominant theme in public discourse today—and it’s affecting the public’s views on the environment. Most Californians choose cost of living as the top issue facing the people of California today; few name environmental concerns. In the past year, we find increasing proportions of Californians reporting that prices at the gas pump are a major problem for them (63% 2026, 52% 2025) and that the cost of energy such as gasoline, natural gas, and utility bills is a big problem in their part of California (63% 2026, 54% 2025). This year, more than half of adults across partisan and demographic groups and state regions share these views.

Increasing concerns about affordability are related to decreasing support for the energy transition. We are seeing notable shifts in views over time:

• More Californians are now saying that we should wait for the state’s economy and job situation to improve before taking action on climate change (45% 2026, 30% 2013).
• Fewer have seriously considered buying or leasing an EV (33% 2026, 51% 2013).
• Fewer are willing to pay more for electricity from renewable sources like solar or wind energy (38% 2026, 56% 2016).

This year, fewer than half across all demographic groups and state regions are considering an EV or are willing to pay more for electricity.

But one idea for funding the state’s energy transition is popular: Californians overwhelmingly favor (73%) taxing corporations based on the amount of carbon emissions they produce. Majorities across demographic groups and regions are in favor; partisans are divided.

This support aligns with other tax preferences surfacing in this time of heightened affordability concerns. We find strong support for increasing state taxes on the wealthiest Californians and on large corporations. And a majority say they would vote yes on the billionaire’s tax initiative on the November ballot. Fewer than half would rather pay higher taxes and have a state government that provides more services.

In this election year, Californians will be eager to hear the gubernatorial candidates’ plans for balancing their dual concerns about climate change and affordability. In deciding who to vote for, about half of likely voters (48%) say that the gubernatorial candidates’ positions on environmental issues are very important to them—but more say that positions on affordability (61%) are very important. Notably, while 84% say it is very important to them to vote on ballot measures on the environment, this year there won’t be any. In a sign of the times, several of the 14 state propositions on the November ballot are concerned with affordability.

In short, Californians’ changing views put the energy transition on shakier ground than a year ago. State lawmakers recently took a step to address affordability through state tax credits for EV purchases, and there are also new legislative proposals to deal with rising electricity costs. But is there the political will to implement durable state policies and make the energy transition a reality? Going forward, many more residents will need to be engaged not only through their words but also their actions if the state is to reach its goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.

What might help to inspire action? We continue to believe that civic involvement is essential to the state’s energy transition. Twenty years of state legislation and top-down planning have simply not accounted for the economic and political realities that our polling has surfaced—and that are tied to the changing views on the energy transition. Civic education can help residents of all ages better understand what’s at stake and what they can do to ensure a better energy future.

State leaders should consider using the citizen engagement tools already at hand to gather input for the 2027 legislative session and the 2028 ballot. For instance, the new Engaged California state government program that invites Californians to join online group discussions on current issues would be ideal for this purpose. Meanwhile, PPIC will be following new developments on this topic through our polling and our research on understanding California’s future.