Over the past two decades, the public consensus in favor of tougher environmentalrestrictions has weakened, primarily because of changing opinions amongRepublicans.

For the first time in a Pew Research Center political values survey, only about half ofRepublicans (47%) agree that “there needs to be stricter laws and regulations to protect theenvironment.”

This represents a decline of 17 points since 2009 and a fall of nearly 40 points, from 86%, since 1992.

The partisan gap over this measure was modest two decades ago. Today, roughly twiceas many Democrats as Republicans say stricter environmental laws and regulations areneeded (93% vs. 47%). Read More