• Most Californians see ocean and beach conditions as very important.
  Three in four Californians (77%) say the condition of the ocean and beaches is very important to California’s future economy and quality of life. Across regions as well as age, education, income, and racial/ethnic groups, about seven in ten or more express this view. While solid majorities across parties say ocean and beach conditions are very important, Democrats (84%) and independents (75%) are more likely than Republicans (61%) to hold this opinion. When asked about rising sea levels as a possible impact of global warming, seven in ten Californians are very (42%) or somewhat (29%) concerned. Across racial/ethnic groups, African Americans (66%) are the most likely to be very concerned, followed by Asian Americans (45%), Latinos (42%), and whites (38%). Concern is higher among Democrats (56%) than among independents (41%) and Republicans (17%).

• Overwhelming majorities see plastics and marine debris as a big problem.
  An overwhelming majority of Californians see plastics and marine debris as a big problem (72%) or somewhat of a problem (18%) along the part of the coast closest to them. Solid majorities across age, education, income, and racial/ethnic groups say plastics and marine debris are a big problem. Across racial/ethnic groups, African Americans (80%) and Latinos (79%) are the most likely to say this is a big problem, followed by Asian Americans (72%) and whites (65%). Younger Californians are slightly more likely than older Californians to hold this view. Democrats (80%) and independents (69%) are far more likely than Republicans (44%) to see plastics and marine debris as a big problem.

• Most see urban development that harms wildlife habitats and overfishing as a problem.
  About eight in ten Californians say urban development that harms wildlife habitats and endangered species is a big problem (44%) or somewhat of a problem (34%) along the coast closest to them. Across racial/ethnic groups, Latinos (56%) and African Americans (53%) are the most likely to say this is a big problem, followed by Asian Americans (42%) and whites (34%). When asked about commercial overfishing, most residents say it is a big problem (35%) or somewhat of a problem (35%) along the part of the coast closest to them. Residents of the south coast (35%) and the north and central coast (33%) are about equally likely to say overfishing is a big problem. On both of these issues, Democrats and independents are more likely than Republicans to see this harm as a big problem.

• Two in three Californians oppose drilling off the California coast.
  A strong majority of Californians (67%) oppose allowing more oil drilling off the California coast. Only 28% favor allowing it—this is close to the lowest level of support for offshore drilling (25% in July 2017) since PPIC began asking about it in 2003. An overwhelming majority of Democrats (81%) and a strong majority of independents (69%) oppose more drilling, while a majority of Republicans (57%) are in favor. Residents of the north and central coast (74%) are somewhat more likely than those in the south coast (65%) to oppose more offshore drilling (63% of inland residents oppose). Solid majorities across regions and across age, education, income, and racial/ethnic groups are opposed.

• Overwhelming majorities favor wind power and wave energy.
  An overwhelming majority of Californians (72%) support allowing wind power and wave energy projects off the California coast. A similar share of residents (73%) held this view in a 2017 PPIC survey. An overwhelming majority of Democrats (80%) and independents (81%) and a strong majority of Republicans (66%) are in favor of this proposal. Residents of the north and central coast (77%) are somewhat more likely than those in the south coast (69%) to favor wind power and wave energy projects off the California coast (73% of inland residents favor). More than six in ten across regions and age, education, income, and racial/ethnic groups are in favor.

Related Content

PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and the Environment, July 2019