PPIC Statewide Survey: Special Survey on Californians and the Environment

This is the 37^th PPIC Statewide Survey and the fifth in a series of eight surveys that will focus on population growth, land use, and the environment. This survey focuses in particular on public perceptions, individual actions, and policy preferences relating to air quality issues.

Some findings of the current survey

• Residents in the Central Valley (42%) are now as likely as Los Angeles residents (43%) to consider air pollution a big problem in their region of the state. In 2000, only 28% of Central Valley residents saw air quality as a big problem.
• 68% of Californians believe that increased carbon dioxide and other gases released into the atmosphere will, if unchecked, lead to global warming.
• Most employed residents in the state report that they commute to work by driving alone (73%); many fewer commute by carpool (13%) or public transit (5%).
• President and governor receive very low approval ratings for their handling of environmental issues: Davis, 30%; Bush, 37%.
• 86% of Californians say that the presidential candidates’ positions in 2004 on environmental issues will be a very important (41%) or somewhat important (45%) factor in determining their vote.