Wildfire, coastal issues worry Californians, survey funds

Staff and wire reports Published 12:58 p.m. PT July 30, 2019 | Updated 1:05 p.m. PT July 30, 2019

Californians are worried about global warming causing severe wildfires and consider the health of beaches and the ocean key priorities, according to a new statewide survey focused on the environment.

Among the 1,706 adults polled by the y by the Public Policy Institute of California, 71% said they were "very concerned" about climate change causing more severe wildfires in the future.

While the poll found significant concern about rising seas and more extreme heat, it was at a lower level than the preoccupation with wildfires.

"Californians express less concern about other possible impacts of global warming, with 49% saying they are very concerned about more severe heat waves and 42 percent saying they are very concerned about rising sea levels," according to the survey.

Meanwhile, just a quarter of California adults approve of how President Donald Trump is handling environmental issues, with about the same amount approving of Congress on the issue.

The severity of wildfires has been growing over the past two decades, with the state's seven biggest wildfires on record occurring since 2003. Five of those seven have happened since 2012.

The biggest, the 410,000-acre Ranch Fire, was part of the larger Mendicino Complex Fire last summer. The deadliest, claiming the lives of 85, was the Camp Fire last autumn. Southern California's wildfires also attracted attention last year, particularly the 97,000-acre Woolsey Fire in Ventura and Los Angeles counties.

While people in San Francisco Bay Area were most concerned about severe wildfires as a result of global warming, at 75%, the feeling is shared at similar rates in the Inland Empire, 74%, and Los Angeles, 72%. In the Central Valley and the combined Orange-San Diego counties, 69% of those polled shared that concern.

Rob Stutzman, a Republican political consultant, said it's undeniable global warming is having an impact today but urged Democrats to make room for open discussions about all of the contributing factors to rising global temperatures and solutions for reversing it.

He said Republicans are making it difficult for lawmakers in their party to address the growing threat.

"In the polarized tribalism of American politics, it makes governing extremely difficult," Stutzman said. "There's no incentive to arrive at sensible solutions, which have commonly been bipartisan in our history."

Coastal concerns

The survey found most Californians by far (77%) say the condition of the ocean and beaches is very important to the economy and quality of life for California's future. A similar share (72%) consider plastics and marine debris a big problem on the area of the California coast closest to them. This view is shared by large majorities across the north and central coasts (73%), the south coast (72%) and inland (70%).

A big majority of Californians (67%) oppose allowing more oil drilling off the coast, while 72% support allowing coastal wind power and wave energy projects. These shares are generally consistent across regions.

Green state laws

While voters were particularly disapproving of Trump and Congress on environmental issues, Gov. Gavin Newsom also fell short of majority support on the issue, getting the thumbs up from 45% of those polled.

However, key environmental legislation approved in Sacramento fared better.

A bill signed into law this year that would provide privately owned utilities with at least $21 billion to cover further wildfire damages — paid for by ratepayers and investors — was favored by 57%.

A 2016 bill calling for the state to reduce its greenhouse gas emission to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030 was backed by 67% of those polled.

A 2018 bill requiring the state's electricity to come entirely from renewable sources by 2045 was endorsed by 71%. Half of those polled said they'd be willing to pay more for electricity generated by renewable sources.

State measures are also in place requiring cities to prepare for climate change. Long Beach is well underway in developing a plan for sea-level rise and increased temperature while Seal Beach recently embarked on a plan for sea-level rise. Both cities could face severe flooding before the end of the century.

Other environmental worries

Among other findings in the survey:

64% support the state creating policies to address global warming rather than leaving the matter to the federal government.
74% support local government land-use and transportation planning to reduce the need for driving.
Just 30% said water supply was a big problem, down 40 percentage points from the record high tallied during the drought in 2015.
58% said polluted water poses a more serious health threat in lower-income areas.
27% said air pollution is a big problem in their part of the state. However, that varied widely by region, including 43% in Los Angeles, 33% in the Inland Empire and 11% in combined Orange/ San Diego counties.

Political process

In next year's presidential race, the state's Democratic voters are prioritizing the environment over many other issues.

Overall, 44% of all likely voters in California say candidates' positions on the environment is "very important" and 36% say they're "somewhat important." Among Democrats, 64% say environmental positions are very important, compared with 34% of independents and 20% of Republicans who say the same.

In the Democratic presidential primary, Kamala Harris leads with 19% among likely voters who are Democrats or Democratic-leaning independents. Next are Elizabeth Warren (15%), Bernie Sanders (12%), Joe Biden (11%) and Pete Buttigieg (5%).

Among younger voters, ages 18 to 44, Sanders (21%) leads, followed by Warren (19%). Among likely voters older than 44, Harris (22%) leads, followed by Biden (14%).

The survey found Just under half of Californians (45% adults, 47% likely voters) approve of how Gov. Gavin Newsom is handling his job, while 31% adults and 39% of likely voters disapprove. These are similar to his approval levels in May and January. On the governor's handling of environmental issues in California, 45% of adults and 46% of likely voters approve.

The survey found 42% of adults and 40% of likely voters approve of how the Legislature is handling its job (41% adults, 48% likely voters disapprove). These approval levels are similar to those in May and last July. On lawmakers' handling of environmental issues, 45% of adults and 43% of likely voters approve, according to the survey.

About the survey

Findings in this report are based on a survey of 1,706 California adult residents, including 1,194 interviewed on cellphones and 512 interviewed on landline phones. Interviews took place July 14-23 in English or Spanish, according to respondents' preferences.

The sampling error, taking design effects from weighting into consideration, is plus or minus 3.4% for all adults, plus or minus 5.1% for the 766 adults asked Question 41 (regarding the Democratic primary) and Question 44 (regarding the Green New Deal), plus or minus 3.9% for the 1,400 registered voters and plus or minus 4.4% for the 1,085 likely voters.

The survey is supported with funding from the Arjay and Frances F. Miller Foundation, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the Dirk and Charlene Kabcenell Foundation, and the Flora Family Foundation.

The nonprofit Public Policy Institute of California does not take or support positions on any ballot measure or on any local, state, or federal legislation, nor does it endorse, support or oppose any political parties or candidates for public office.

Source: https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/2019/07/30/wildfire-coastal-issues-worry-californians-survey-funds/1869978001/