Build Back Better Bill Delivers Climate Action Metro Orlando Voters Want
Many Floridians have already made up their minds on this once-in-a-generation opportunity for climate action.
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Fran Perchick
The Nature Conservancy
Phone: 561-328-9221 x205
Email: fran.perchick@tnc.org
While Congress continues to debate the provisions in the Build Back Better Act, many Floridians have already made up their minds on this once-in-a-generation opportunity for climate action.
In a recent Orlando-area survey, 62 percent of voters said they support the proposed Build Back Better Act being developed in Congress with 46 percent strongly supporting it. A majority of voters viewed a number of climate-related policies in the bill from forest and reef restoration to reducing emissions—as very important.
Nearly two-thirds (63 percent) said their member of Congress should work with the Biden Administration to enact policies to transition to cleaner energy and reduce pollution.
The poll, commissioned by The Nature Conservancy in Florida, was conducted among 350 registered voters in Florida’s seventh Congressional District by Republican polling firm New Bridge Strategy.
“Floridians are on the front lines of climate change, and they understand the urgency of meeting this crisis with bold action to lower our carbon emissions and switch to clean energy now, before it’s too late,” said the Executive Director of The Nature Conservancy in Florida Temperince Morgan.
When informed about the details of the Build Back Better plan, respondents supported it by a 26-point margin. The poll also found:
- 65 percent of voters believe transitioning to more clean energy and reducing emissions is a good investment of taxpayer money, with 52 percent classifying this as a very good investment.
- A majority want to see bold action on climate change now, with 59 percent agreeing with the statement that “we cannot afford to continue to delay on policies that will help address climate change. Now is the time to take bold action, even if it means significant government spending in the short-term.”
- 87 percent reported that helping communities reduce the risk and be better prepared for natural disasters like wildfires, storms, floods, or drought was important, with 58 percent stating this was extremely or very important.
- A majority supported making industries, including oil, natural gas, energy, and fuel companies, pay a fee based on the amount of carbon pollution they produce as a way to fund the proposal, with 69 percent finding this somewhat acceptable, and 50 percent finding this completely acceptable.
The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. Working in 76 countries and territories—37 by direct conservation impact and 39 through partners—we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter.