Publications on Energy and Environment
This section features selected Pew Research Center reports (since 2005) on energy and environment. Individual project websites may contain more reports related to this topic. In particular, for international attitudes, such as views on global warming, please see Pew Global Attitudes Project; for domestic attitudes on issues such as global warming, gas prices and more, see Pew Research Center for the People & the Press. For news about state policy-making related to energy and environment, see Stateline.org.
An Increase in GOP Doubt About Global Warming Deepens Partisan Divide
8 May 08The proportion of Americans who say that the earth is getting warmer has decreased modestly since January 2007, mostly because of a decline among Republicans.
Pew Research Center for the People & the Press
Mixed Signals on Energy Policy
Public Less Enthusiastic About Ethanol Research, Divided on ANWR and Nuclear, But Highly Supportive of Tighter Auto Fuel Standards
6 Mar 08The public remains conflicted in its approach toward energy and the environment, but 55% favor more conservation and regulation compared with 35% who support expanded exploration. Fully 90% favor tighter auto fuel standards.
Pew Research Center for the People & the Press
Global Warming Falls Still Farther on Republicans' Policy Agenda
Just 12% Call It a "Top Priority"
30 Jan 08Republicans' concerns about climate change have fallen through the floor. Just 12% now call it a top priority for policymakers.
Pew Research Center for the People & the Press
Minnesota Takes the Lead in E-Cycling
21 Aug 07Five state legislatures took steps this year to curb the threat of toxic waste created by the proliferation of discarded computer gear and other digital junk, making 2007 a banner year for passage of electronic recycling laws.
Stateline.org
Ethanol Demand Outgrows Corn
The Limits of Food-Based Biofuels Are Already in Sight With Major Shifts in The Nation's Agricultural Markets
28 Jun 07Corn is king of renewable auto fuels, for now. But federal and state governments already are racing to find alternatives to corn as they look for ways to use ethanol to help break the nation's dependence on foreign oil.
Stateline.org
Gas Prices Grab the Public's Attention
Interest in News about Inflation at the Pump Goes Beyond Just Knowing Where to Find the Cheapest Gallon
30 May 07Interest in news about inflation at the pump goes beyond learning where to find the cheapest gallon and extends to impacts on the national economy.
Pew Research Center for the People & the Press
States Wax Fluorescent
26 Apr 07Lawmakers in at least seven states want to ban ordinary light bulbs in favor of longer-lasting, energy-efficient compact fluorescents.
Stateline.org
Trends in Attitudes Toward Religion and Social Issues: 1987-2007
22 Mar 07As the '08 elections approach, what are the views of Republicans, Democrats and the general public on "social values" issues? And how have they changed over time?
Pew Research Center for the People & the Press
Trends in Political Values and Core Attitudes: 1987-2007
Political Landscape More Favorable To Democrats
22 Mar 07Increased public support for the social safety net, signs of growing public concern about income inequality, and a diminished appetite for assertive national security policies have improved the political landscape for the Democrats as the 2008 presidential campaign gets underway.
Pew Research Center for the People & the Press
Sowing the Wind, Reaping the Electricity
Iowa's New Energy Source: Compressed Air in Underground Caverns
14 Mar 07In a sci-fi approach to providing clean energy, a consortium of Iowa power companies is planning to fill a big underground hole with pressurized air which would then be released to generate electricity.
Stateline.org
Bush Builds on States' Agenda
24 Jan 07It's too soon to know how far the new Congress might go in accepting the president's State of the Union proposals on health care, energy, immigration and education, but states aren't waiting to find out - they've taken the lead on these domestic issues.
Stateline.org
Global Warming: A Divide on Causes and Solutions
Public Views Unchanged by Unusual Weather
24 Jan 07New poll finds continuing broad agreement that the earth is getting hotter, but few rate the phenomenon a top priority for action.
Pew Research Center for the People & the Press
Broad Support for Political Compromise in Washington
But Many Are Hesitant to Yield on Contentious Issues
22 Jan 07A large majority of the American public thinks the country is more politically polarized than in the past, and an even greater number expresses a strong desire for political compromise. Fully three-quarters say they like political leaders who are willing to compromise, compared with 21% who see this as a negative trait.
Pew Research Center for the People & the Press
Iraq Looms Large in a Nationalized Election
Congressional Race Unchanged After Foley's Resignation
5 Oct 06A new poll finds dismay about U.S. military action in Iraq at its highest level since the war began and many voters say the issue will be primary in their ballot decisions come November. Resignation of Rep. Foley has little impact so far.
Pew Research Center for the People & the Press
In Statehouses, 2006 is Year of Surpluses, Social Issues
14 Sep 06Minimum wage hikes and new rights of self-defense for crime victims have been popular with state lawmakers this year. Also, with a budget climate that's been the sunniest in six years, lawmakers have splurged on a host of new projects.
Stateline.org
A Diminished Public Appetite for Military Force and Mideast Oil
6 Sep 06Americans' views of the impact of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks have changed little since 2001, but most no longer see an expanded U.S. military overseas as helpful.
Pew Research Center for the People & the Press
The Surprising Impact of Global Warming on Tourism
18 Aug 06Which countries will win, which ones will lose in the race for tourism dollars as global warming heats up. (Hint: Book that Mongolian vacation now.) And did embedded reporters slant the news in Iraq?
Pew Research Center
As the Price of Gas Goes Up, The Nation's Odometer Slows Down
History Repeats Itself
8 Aug 06About half the public says it is driving less due to sticker shock at the pump.
Pew Research Center
The Heat Over Global Warming
Americans generally agree that temperatures are climbing but there is no consensus about what, if anything, to do about it.
12 Jul 06New findings from a Pew Research Center for the People & the Press poll show that public attitudes about global warming are deeply divided along partisan lines. But even among Democrats, global warming ranks low relative to other issue priorities.
Pew Research Center for the People & the Press
America's Image Slips
But Allies Share U.S. Concerns about Iran, Hamas
13 Jun 06The 2006 Pew Global Attitudes survey finds that America's image has again slipped in most of the 15 countries surveyed and support for the U.S.-led war on terrorism has declined even among close U.S. allies such as Japan.
Pew Global Attitudes Project
Both Reds and Blues Go Green on Energy
But Parties Split Internally on Environmental Protections
28 Feb 06But divisions within both political parties block consensus on eco-friendly alternatives to oil.
Pew Research Center for the People & the Press
Mapping the Political Landscape 2005
1 Sep 05The Center's report offers a richly textured portrait of the American electorate, including a new analysis of 2004 election returns that reveals the congruence between where people live and how they vote.
Pew Research Center