Where environmental support meets knowledge gaps
Core finding
Adults supported more environmental action and treated water as important, but their self-reported knowledge of Colorado River water scarcity was much thinner.
Roughly 63% said the EPA should do more. About 73% said water should be at least somewhat important to the federal government, while 66% described themselves as not at all or only mildly knowledgeable about Colorado River water scarcity.
Most adults said the EPA should do more
Roughly 63% of adults said the EPA should do more. About 25% said they did not know, while 11% said no.
The size of the "don't know" response matters for the page framing. The result shows majority support for more EPA action, but it also leaves a visible group that did not take a position.
Topline
63% said the EPA should do more.
n = 1,000 · Apr 19–27, 2023 · MoE ±3.6%
Carbon-emissions action drew more support than waiting
About 49% said politicians should take the lead in drastically reducing U.S. carbon emissions. Roughly 34% said politicians should wait until they have evidence that the public supports such action.
Another 17% said they did not know. The split is not a full consensus, but the lead-action response was still the largest position.
Stacked breakdown
49% said politicians should lead on reducing carbon emissions.
n = 999 · Apr 19–27, 2023 · MoE ±3.6%
Water looked important even where knowledge was limited
About 48% said water should be extremely important to the federal government, and another 26% said it should be somewhat important.
That priority did not come with broad self-reported familiarity. Roughly 38% said they were not at all knowledgeable about Colorado River water scarcity, and 27% said they were only mildly knowledgeable.
Crosstab view
73% rated water at least somewhat important, while 66% reported limited Colorado River knowledge.
In comparison to other issues, how important should issues of water be to the federal government?
How knowledgeable would you describe yourself of water scarcity challenges in the Colorado River?
n = 1,000 · Apr 19–27, 2023 · MoE ±3.6%
Methodology
Full methodology →| Mode | Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting |
|---|---|
| Population | United States adults who completed both waves of the survey |
| Field dates | Apr 19–27, 2023 |
| Base (unweighted) | 1,000 |
| Margin of error | ±3.6% |
| Module | MPSA 2023 Omnibus Survey #2023-032 |
| Sponsor | Verasight |
| Weight variable | weight |
| Weighting targets | age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status |
Sources
- verasight-mpsa-2023.tiiny.co
Should the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) do more?
- verasight-mpsa-2023.tiiny.co
Do you think that politicians should take the lead in drastically reducing US carbon emissions, or should wait until they have evidence that the public supports such action?
- verasight-mpsa-2023.tiiny.co
In comparison to other issues, how important should issues of water be to the federal government?
- verasight-mpsa-2023.tiiny.co
How knowledgeable would you describe yourself of water scarcity challenges in the Colorado River?
Cite this topic
MPSA 2023 Omnibus Survey #2023-032, fielded April 19-27, 2023, N=1,000 United States adults who completed both waves of the survey, +/- 3.6%.