With the Senate’s passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, which contains several provisions designed to curb greenhouse gas emissions, climate change, the environment, and pollution reduction are once again at the heart of the political debate. In November, Californians are set to vote on Proposition 30—which would increase taxes on those earning over $2 million to help fund zero-emissions vehicles and wildfire prevention. So, just how big of a problem is air pollution in the minds of Californians?
According to PPIC’s most recent survey, 78% of adults and 73% of likely voters say air pollution is a problem, with about three in ten saying it’s a big problem. Similar shares held this view in July 2021. Los Angeles residents are the most likely to say it’s a big problem (43%) and nearby Orange/San Diego residents are the least likely to say this (19%). Across partisan groups, Democrats (37%) are more likely than independents (28%) and Republicans (19%) to think air pollution is a big problem in their part of the state. There are also significant differences across racial/ethnic groups, with Latinos (44%) and African Americans (37%) more likely than Asian Americans (28%) and whites (21%) to feel air pollution is a big problem.
If Proposition 30 passes, some of the funding would be directed to rebates and other incentives to promote zero-emissions vehicles among low-income households and communities. When asked if air pollution is a more serious health threat in lower-income areas, 59% of adults and 56% of likely voters believe it is. Views were nearly identical a year ago. Majorities across regions—except for 49% in the Central Valley—say air pollution is a more serious health threat in lower-income areas (69% Los Angeles, 59% Orange/San Diego, 57% Inland Empire, 55% San Francisco Bay Area). Solid majorities of Latinos (74%), African Americans (61%), and Asian Americans (60%) say this, compared to 46% of whites. And across income groups, Californians earning less than $80,000 annually are more likely to say air pollution is a more serious threat in lower-income areas (63% less than $40,000; 62% $40,000 to $79,999; 54% $80,000 or more).
Most Californians also view air pollution as a threat to them and their immediate family, although fewer than two in ten think it is a very serious threat (16% adults, 12% likely voters). Similar to views on whether air pollution is a big problem, Los Angeles residents are the most likely to say it’s a very serious threat while residents in Orange/San Diego are the least likely to say this. And across racial/ethnic groups, African Americans and Latinos are the most likely to say air pollution is a very serious threat to them and their families. The shares believing it is a very serious threat decline as educational attainment and income levels increase.
PPIC will continue to track Californians’ opinions on important environmental topics as the election approaches and as California’s leaders consider new ways to improve the state’s air quality and mitigate environmental threats to public health.
