Survey year | Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 36% | 58% | 3% | 4% | 8,498 |
2007 | 31% | 60% | 4% | 6% | 7,279 |
Learn More: Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy, Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost
Views about environmental regulation among adults in the West by religious group
% of adults in the West who say…
Religious tradition | Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buddhist | 20% | 77% | 1% | 3% | 113 |
Catholic | 38% | 56% | 2% | 4% | 1,660 |
Evangelical Protestant | 47% | 45% | 3% | 5% | 1,819 |
Historically Black Protestant | 35% | 60% | 3% | 2% | 143 |
Jewish | 23% | 75% | < 1% | 2% | 181 |
Mainline Protestant | 37% | 57% | 2% | 3% | 1,141 |
Mormon | 56% | 37% | 4% | 3% | 480 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 26% | 69% | 2% | 2% | 2,388 |
Learn More: Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy, Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among adults in the West by views about environmental protection
% of adults in the West who are ages…
Views about environmental regulation | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | 21% | 32% | 27% | 19% | 3,111 |
Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | 25% | 37% | 24% | 14% | 4,750 |
Neither/both equally | 20% | 35% | 25% | 20% | 224 |
Don't know | 15% | 30% | 23% | 31% | 241 |
Switch Display To: views about environmental protection among adults in the West by age group
Generational cohort among adults in the West by views about environmental protection
% of adults in the West who are…
Views about environmental regulation | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | 14% | 13% | 27% | 32% | 13% | 1% | 3,111 |
Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | 15% | 17% | 29% | 29% | 9% | 1% | 4,750 |
Neither/both equally | 13% | 12% | 29% | 29% | 13% | 3% | 224 |
Don't know | 8% | 11% | 27% | 28% | 23% | 4% | 241 |
Gender composition among adults in the West by views about environmental protection
% of adults in the West who are…
Views about environmental regulation | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | 53% | 47% | 3,173 |
Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | 48% | 52% | 4,838 |
Neither/both equally | 54% | 46% | 233 |
Don't know | 37% | 63% | 254 |
Switch Display To: views about environmental protection among adults in the West by gender
Racial and ethnic composition among adults in the West by views about environmental protection
% of adults in the West who identify as…
Views about environmental regulation | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | 59% | 4% | 7% | 26% | 4% | 3,119 |
Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | 55% | 5% | 10% | 25% | 5% | 4,772 |
Neither/both equally | 58% | 4% | 7% | 26% | 5% | 222 |
Don't know | 39% | 3% | 10% | 42% | 6% | 243 |
Immigrant status among adults in the West by views about environmental protection
% of adults in the West who are…
Views about environmental regulation | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | 20% | 14% | 66% | 3,136 |
Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | 24% | 14% | 63% | 4,776 |
Neither/both equally | 21% | 12% | 68% | 230 |
Don't know | 44% | 7% | 48% | 245 |
Income distribution among adults in the West by views about environmental protection
% of adults in the West who have a household income of…
Views about environmental regulation | Less than $30,000 | $30,000-$49,999 | $50,000-$99,999 | $100,000 or more | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | 34% | 21% | 25% | 20% | 2,788 |
Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | 33% | 20% | 26% | 21% | 4,321 |
Neither/both equally | 32% | 22% | 25% | 20% | 191 |
Don't know | 61% | 19% | 11% | 9% | 171 |
Educational distribution among adults in the West by views about environmental protection
% of adults in the West who have completed…
Views about environmental regulation | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | 44% | 35% | 15% | 7% | 3,153 |
Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | 33% | 34% | 19% | 14% | 4,814 |
Neither/both equally | 34% | 41% | 18% | 7% | 232 |
Don't know | 64% | 20% | 12% | 5% | 250 |
Marital status among adults in the West by views about environmental protection
% of adults in the West who are…
Views about environmental regulation | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | 52% | 8% | 13% | 5% | 22% | 3,161 |
Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | 45% | 10% | 13% | 5% | 27% | 4,817 |
Neither/both equally | 43% | 8% | 18% | 7% | 23% | 229 |
Don't know | 47% | 7% | 15% | 12% | 20% | 249 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults in the West by views about environmental protection
% of adults in the West who are…
Views about environmental regulation | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | 30% | 70% | 3,163 |
Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | 29% | 71% | 4,816 |
Neither/both equally | 31% | 69% | 232 |
Don't know | 31% | 69% | 249 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among adults in the West by views about environmental protection
% of adults in the West who say they…
Views about environmental regulation | Believe in God; absolutely certain | Believe in God; fairly certain | Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | Believe in God; don't know | Do not believe in God | Other/don't know if they believe in God | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | 66% | 20% | 5% | 1% | 6% | 2% | 3,173 |
Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | 49% | 23% | 9% | 1% | 16% | 3% | 4,838 |
Neither/both equally | 65% | 15% | 7% | 2% | 8% | 4% | 233 |
Don't know | 66% | 20% | 3% | 3% | 4% | 4% | 254 |
Importance of religion in one's life among adults in the West by views about environmental protection
% of adults in the West who say religion is…
Views about environmental regulation | Very important | Somewhat important | Not too important | Not at all important | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | 56% | 25% | 10% | 8% | 1% | 3,173 |
Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | 41% | 25% | 15% | 18% | 1% | 4,838 |
Neither/both equally | 55% | 20% | 9% | 14% | 1% | 233 |
Don't know | 55% | 26% | 8% | 4% | 7% | 254 |
Attendance at religious services among adults in the West by views about environmental protection
% of adults in the West who attend religious services…
Views about environmental regulation | At least once a week | Once or twice a month/a few times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | 39% | 33% | 28% | < 1% | 3,173 |
Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | 27% | 33% | 39% | 1% | 4,838 |
Neither/both equally | 41% | 25% | 33% | 1% | 233 |
Don't know | 37% | 29% | 32% | 2% | 254 |
Frequency of prayer among adults in the West by views about environmental protection
% of adults in the West who pray…
Views about environmental regulation | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | 58% | 15% | 6% | 20% | 1% | 3,173 |
Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | 45% | 14% | 6% | 33% | 1% | 4,838 |
Neither/both equally | 58% | 8% | 7% | 26% | 2% | 233 |
Don't know | 66% | 8% | 4% | 21% | 2% | 254 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults in the West by views about environmental protection
% of adults in the West who attend prayer group…
Views about environmental regulation | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | 29% | 10% | 8% | 53% | < 1% | 3,173 |
Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | 18% | 8% | 7% | 66% | 1% | 4,838 |
Neither/both equally | 33% | 8% | 8% | 50% | 2% | 233 |
Don't know | 29% | 12% | 7% | 51% | 2% | 254 |
Frequency of meditation among adults in the West by views about environmental protection
% of adults in the West who meditate…
Views about environmental regulation | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | 40% | 9% | 4% | 45% | 3% | 3,173 |
Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | 40% | 10% | 5% | 44% | 1% | 4,838 |
Neither/both equally | 45% | 7% | 5% | 40% | 3% | 233 |
Don't know | 56% | 8% | 3% | 28% | 6% | 254 |
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults in the West by views about environmental protection
% of adults in the West who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…
Views about environmental regulation | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | 61% | 14% | 9% | 15% | 1% | 3,173 |
Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | 55% | 16% | 11% | 17% | 1% | 4,838 |
Neither/both equally | 68% | 10% | 6% | 15% | 1% | 233 |
Don't know | 65% | 9% | 8% | 13% | 6% | 254 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults in the West by views about environmental protection
% of adults in the West who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…
Views about environmental regulation | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | 46% | 16% | 13% | 24% | 1% | 3,173 |
Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | 50% | 16% | 14% | 20% | 1% | 4,838 |
Neither/both equally | 54% | 13% | 13% | 19% | 1% | 233 |
Don't know | 50% | 13% | 9% | 19% | 9% | 254 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults in the West by views about environmental protection
% of adults in the West who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong
Views about environmental regulation | Religion | Philosophy/reason | Common sense | Science | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | 38% | 9% | 44% | 8% | 2% | 3,173 |
Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | 25% | 15% | 45% | 13% | 2% | 4,838 |
Neither/both equally | 40% | 13% | 37% | 2% | 8% | 233 |
Don't know | 32% | 7% | 40% | 9% | 12% | 254 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults in the West by views about environmental protection
% of adults in the West who say…
Views about environmental regulation | There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | Right or wrong depends on the situation | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | 41% | 56% | 1% | 2% | 3,173 |
Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | 27% | 71% | 2% | 1% | 4,838 |
Neither/both equally | 36% | 57% | 5% | 2% | 233 |
Don't know | 24% | 59% | 4% | 13% | 254 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults in the West by views about environmental protection
% of adults in the West who read scripture…
Views about environmental regulation | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | 39% | 11% | 8% | 42% | 1% | 3,173 |
Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | 26% | 9% | 9% | 56% | 1% | 4,838 |
Neither/both equally | 42% | 14% | 7% | 37% | 1% | 233 |
Don't know | 41% | 9% | 6% | 41% | 3% | 254 |
Interpreting scripture among adults in the West by views about environmental protection
% of adults in the West who say the holy scripture is…
Views about environmental regulation | Word of God; should be taken literally | Word of God; not everything taken literally | Word of God; other/don't know | Not the word of God | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | 33% | 30% | 3% | 27% | 8% | 3,173 |
Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | 20% | 24% | 1% | 48% | 7% | 4,838 |
Neither/both equally | 29% | 14% | 4% | 34% | 19% | 233 |
Don't know | 36% | 11% | 12% | 20% | 20% | 254 |
Belief in Heaven among adults in the West by views about environmental protection
% of adults in the West who …in heaven
Views about environmental regulation | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | 76% | 16% | 8% | 3,173 |
Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | 58% | 35% | 7% | 4,838 |
Neither/both equally | 66% | 19% | 15% | 233 |
Don't know | 68% | 18% | 15% | 254 |
Belief in Hell among adults in the West by views about environmental protection
% of adults in the West who …in hell
Views about environmental regulation | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | 62% | 29% | 9% | 3,173 |
Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | 43% | 49% | 7% | 4,838 |
Neither/both equally | 46% | 36% | 19% | 233 |
Don't know | 47% | 36% | 17% | 254 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults in the West by views about environmental protection
% of adults in the West who identify as…
Views about environmental regulation | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | 57% | 17% | 26% | 3,173 |
Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | 21% | 20% | 59% | 4,838 |
Neither/both equally | 32% | 37% | 31% | 233 |
Don't know | 25% | 45% | 30% | 254 |
Political ideology among adults in the West by views about environmental protection
% of adults in the West who are…
Views about environmental regulation | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | 50% | 30% | 14% | 6% | 3,173 |
Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | 21% | 36% | 37% | 5% | 4,838 |
Neither/both equally | 37% | 41% | 11% | 11% | 233 |
Don't know | 33% | 24% | 21% | 21% | 254 |
Views about size of government among adults in the West by views about environmental protection
% of adults in the West who would rather have…
Views about environmental regulation | Smaller government; fewer services | Bigger government; more services | Depends | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | 67% | 29% | 1% | 2% | 3,173 |
Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | 39% | 53% | 4% | 3% | 4,838 |
Neither/both equally | 52% | 26% | 11% | 12% | 233 |
Don't know | 40% | 45% | 4% | 12% | 254 |
Views about government aid to the poor among adults in the West by views about environmental protection
% of adults in the West who say government aid to the poor…
Views about environmental regulation | Does more harm than good | Does more good than harm | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | 62% | 34% | 2% | 2% | 3,173 |
Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | 29% | 66% | 3% | 1% | 4,838 |
Neither/both equally | 39% | 36% | 21% | 4% | 233 |
Don't know | 36% | 38% | 9% | 17% | 254 |
Views about abortion among adults in the West by views about environmental protection
% of adults in the West who say abortion should be…
Views about environmental regulation | Legal in all/most cases | Illegal in all/most cases | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | 44% | 52% | 4% | 3,173 |
Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | 66% | 30% | 4% | 4,838 |
Neither/both equally | 51% | 42% | 8% | 233 |
Don't know | 38% | 45% | 17% | 254 |
Views about homosexuality among adults in the West by views about environmental protection
% of adults in the West who say homosexuality…
Views about environmental regulation | Should be accepted | Should be discouraged | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | 54% | 37% | 5% | 4% | 3,173 |
Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | 76% | 19% | 3% | 2% | 4,838 |
Neither/both equally | 47% | 30% | 14% | 9% | 233 |
Don't know | 51% | 25% | 9% | 14% | 254 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults in the West by views about environmental protection
% of adults in the West who …same-sex marriage
Views about environmental regulation | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | 44% | 48% | 8% | 3,173 |
Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | 71% | 24% | 5% | 4,838 |
Neither/both equally | 44% | 41% | 15% | 233 |
Don't know | 37% | 41% | 22% | 254 |
Views about human evolution among adults in the West by views about environmental protection
% of adults in the West who say humans…
Views about environmental regulation | Evolved; due to natural processes | Evolved; due to God's design | Evolved; don't know how | Always existed in present form | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | 27% | 24% | 3% | 41% | 4% | 3,173 |
Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | 47% | 23% | 5% | 23% | 2% | 4,838 |
Neither/both equally | 25% | 16% | 7% | 38% | 15% | 233 |
Don't know | 17% | 11% | 10% | 33% | 28% | 254 |