Taking action to protect water and nature has
strong support across partisan lines
WASHINGTON, April 30,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Walton Family Foundation
today released new polling conducted by Morning Consult showing
that most Americans (60%) believe that they are experiencing the
impacts of climate change in their lives right now.
"Climate change makes itself known through water. We see
it in floods, droughts, wildfires, and rising and warming seas. The
experience of climate change is crystal clear in people's lives
through the lens of water," said Moira
Mcdonald, director of the Walton Family Foundation's
Environment Program. "What's eyebrow-raising here is we
are seeing a real shift. The majority of Americans are experiencing
climate change right now. That means climate has moved from a
future problem to being present right now. This is a call to action
today."
The poll also showed unity among Republicans, Democrats,
and Independents for action now to protect water and
nature:
- Climate resilience has strong support and Americans think
the federal government should do more.
- After learning about the concept, 71% support further actions
to increase climate resilience. That includes 40% who strongly
support more climate resilience actions.
- Only 12% oppose further action.
- A solid bipartisan majority backs further action to increase
climate resilience. That includes 84% of Democrats, 66% of
Independents and 65% of Republicans.
- Three-quarters (76%) of Americans agree that "when we invest
in clean air, water, and healthy rivers and forests, people and
communities thrive."
- Democrats (84% agree),
- Independents (73% agree), and
- Republicans (71% agree) all understand the importance of people
and nature working in concert.
- Fully 78% agree that, "we need to prioritize protecting soil
and water while growing food so that we can feed people now and for
generations to come." (85% of Democrats, 74% of Independents
and 73% of Republicans).
- Most Americans have personally experienced some form of
climate change.
- Eighty percent say they have experienced extreme heat and 75%
have experienced extreme or excessive rain.
- One-quarter (23%) say that they have experienced extreme heat
frequently.
- A majority of American adults have also experienced flooding
(61%) and poor air quality from wildfires (59%).
About the Walton Family Foundation
The Walton Family Foundation is at its core, a family-led
foundation. Three generations of the descendants of our founders,
Sam and Helen Walton, and their
spouses, work together to lead the foundation and create access to
opportunity for people and communities. We work in three areas:
improving education, protecting rivers and oceans and the
communities they support, and investing in our home region of
Northwest Arkansas and the
Arkansas-Mississippi Delta. To learn more, visit
waltonfamilyfoundation.org.
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SOURCE Walton Family Foundation