New maps reveal state-by-state political divide over climate change

New maps reveal state-by-state political divide over climate change. New research has revealed a state-by-state look at how the public’s perceived experiences with global warming, along with their political party affiliation, impact their belief in climate change science and support for government policy changes.

Matto Mildenberger of the University of California Santa Barbara has found that opinions on climate change can often be linked to political shifts in Congress, society, and culture.New maps reveal state-by-state political divide over climate change

These partisan opinions within the U.S. about the dangers of climate change can therefore change policymaking within Congress.

Illustrated in a shocking visual labeled “The Partisan Climate Opinion Maps,” there is a clear divide between Democrats and Republicans in terms of belief that climate change exists and is posing a threat to our future.

Image Credit: Matto Mildenberger

80 to 95% of registered Democrats in the U.S. strongly feel that global warming is a reality, whereas Republicans are lukewarm on the issue, with only 30 to 60% of registered Republicans feeling concerned.

These maps have been updated through 2018, and give new information about partisan climate change and energy opinion within our current political climate.

They were constructed using a statistical model that combined nationally representative survey data obtained between 2008 and 2016 by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication and the George Mason Center for Climate Change Communication with voter registration, U.S. census, and geographic data.

—

By Olivia Harvey, Earth.com Staff Writer

Paid for by Earth.com