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Americans lean toward regulations – not economic markets alone – as the most effective way to increase reliance on renewable energy, but they are evenly split on whether fewer regulations can protect air and water.
Almost nine-in-ten U.S. adults (89%) favor expanding use of solar power, while only 9% oppose it. Western homeowners are particularly likely to say they have already installed or are considering solar panels at home.
Two-thirds of Americans say people will have to make major changes in the way they live to reduce the effects of climate change, but data on how much people have actually adopted several recommended lifestyle changes paints a very mixed picture.
U.S. homes are more energy-efficient per square foot than they used to be. But they’re also bigger, and their increased size offsets most of the efficiency gains.
The U.S. Virgin Islands is the most “energy intensive” place on Earth — meaning it uses the most energy per unit of GDP — while gambling hub Macau is one of the least.
The general public’s political views are strongly linked to their attitudes on climate and energy issues. But politics is a less important factor on biomedical, food safety, space issues.
Though crude oil continues to be the nation’s single biggest import, energy exports have risen sharply. Exports of some metals and agricultural products also have grown rapidly.
The 2010 spill was one of the two biggest stories of the year in terms of news interest. Support for offshore drilling plummeted, but has largely recovered.
Census figures show that North Dakota led the nation in population growth over the past five years, at 12%, and men have accounted for two-thirds of it.
