Sean Sublette
Meteorologist
Virginia just observed one of its 10 warmest Januarys on record and, as the planet continues to warm, the impacts of the changing climate will continue to mount. Last week, a new survey was released to gauge voters’ attitudes about climate change policies in the U.S.
The survey did not examine how voters felt about the science of the topic, but examined policies related to climate change and renewable energy.
At least 75% of registered voters support federal funding for renewable energy sources, tax rebates for people purchasing energy-efficient vehicles or solar panels and tax incentives for people and businesses to buy appliances that do not run on oil or natural gas.
Data from the Environmental Protection Agency shows greenhouse gas emission sources in the U.S. in 2020.
Jointly produced by the George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication and the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, the December survey interviewed 1,085 adults, 86% of whom are registered to vote. Within those surveyed, the same number of registered voters identified as conservative Republicans or liberal Democrats: 27%.
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More specifically to the Virginia conversation, 78% of registered voters support federal funding to make homes in low-income communities more efficient. A similar state-run program is in place as part of Virginia’s involvement in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Gov. Glenn Youngkin has been working to remove Virginia from RGGI since taking office last year.
Support for conservation and restoration policies by political affiliation. (George Mason, 2023)
Coal, the most polluting of the fossil fuels, is already declining in use in Virginia, and two of Dominion Energy’s coal units in Chesterfield County are scheduled for decommissioning at the end of May. The survey finds widespread support for helping people impacted by the decline of coal: 78% support creating a jobs program to hire unemployed coal workers to close down old mines.
Transportation and electricity generation are the largest contributors to the carbon emissions that are warming the planet, but agricultural practices contribute about 10%. However, there is strong support for helping farmers in this area, as 84% of voters support federal funding to help farmers improve methods to protect and restore soils.
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Regarding infrastructure, 79% support generating renewable energy on public lands in the U.S. The numbers are not quite as strong regarding electric vehicles, as only 59% support building EV charging stations.
George Mason and Yale have been regularly surveying on these topics since 2010. Edward Maibach is the director of the GMU Center and has noticed some trends. “In general, over the past decade, Republicans have become less supportive of the idea that the federal government should prioritize the development of renewable energy. That said, the majority of Republicans do support a variety of federal policies to make clean energy and clean transportation more available and affordable.”
Not surprisingly, there are some additional large gaps in responses across the political spectrum, but Maibach sees some areas of agreement.
“There is strong support among both groups for increasing federal research and development spending for solar and wind power, and for helping home and owners of other buildings make their buildings more energy efficient, and especially for helping farmers adopt more climate-friendly farming practices.”
Finally, with education remaining a hot topic in the state this year, three out of four registered voters say that schools should teach children about the causes, impacts and potential solutions of planetary warming.
The full survey results and methods are available from the George Mason Center for Climate Change Communication at climatechangecommunication.org.
From the Archives: Photos of the State Fair of Virginia
Perhaps the earliest known image of the Virginia State Fair, then located in what is now Monroe Park. The point of view is roughly from Belvidere St, looking in a westerly direction. At extreme upper right, near corner of image can be seen a small portion of a horse racetrack that existed there in 1854, the date of the drawing.
Mr. Berkeley Adams of Red Oak in Charlotte County, whose corn won a blue ribbon a the 1909 fair.
The 1914 State Fair featured the Girls Canning Club. Here they are preparing for a demonstration on wood-burning stove.
09-25-1941: This unusual photo was taken at the Virginia State Fair last night by a staff photographer. A crowd watching the display of fireworks silhouetted against the fence around the enclosure.
State Fair life admission pass from 1947.
09-29-1951: Fair is fairyland scene with lights of Ferris wheels, 'rocket' rides and hotdog stands.
09-23-1957: Fair visitors crowd close to get view of girl performers in show. Big nine-day event is slated to last through Saturday.
09-19-1962: Robert Mann, 7, and his brother Ronnie, 2, pause beside one of the many rides that already are in place at the State Fair grounds.
09-29-1962: Heading into the last day of the fair, Willard D. Goodman, a ticket taker at Midway ride, waits for business. Attendance during day yesterday disappointed officials, but picked up last night.
09-25-1962: Winners of the dairy goat show.
09-23-1952: It was great weather for the ducks at the Atlantic Rural Exposition poultry exhibits. Charles Damewood, Eddie Ellers, Salem FFA Boys, look over rain-soaked quackers.
09-27-1963: Morning strollers at the State Fair find the midway is lonesome, silent place.
09-26-1963: Double Ferris wheel towers over visitors at fair's midway.
09-25-1963: Concession manager has been on midway 35 years. Claude Sechrest left home to join show at 14.
Fairgoers crowd the midway of the 1963 State Fair in this aerial view looking toward Laburnum Ave. and the city skyline, on the horizon.
10-01-1965: As nearly a half-million other persons have done in the past week, 4-year-old Janet Terrell walks through the gates to enter the State Fair. She is escorted by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Everett W. Terrell of 4600 Delmont St.
09-22-1966: Virginia State Fair
09-25-1968: Virginia State Fair
09-26-1968: An unidentified youth attempts to dump a bozo into water. People try to vent their anger by immersing the insulting clown.
09-23-1968: Nicholas M. Ourada -- San Jose, California. Newest thrill at the fair, "The Big Slide." Some 35 feet high, 180 feet long, waxed sheet steel, slides on carpet. Ourada says however that fairgoers will do the sliding sitting down.
09-27-1968: A fair is not a fair without cotton candy -- a statement with which Liza and Topher Corbett heartily agree.
09-25-1971: J.J. Kiefer, national breed judge from Louisville, KY., examines pigeon at State Fair. Pigeon judging event was one of several livestock activities held over the weekend at state fairgrounds.
09-30-1972: Jolly Dolly, 26 years old, 514 pounds. Appearing each day for 12 to 14 hours at a stretch --depending on the crowds -- Dolly may be seen on the Degeller Shows midway.
10-01-1972: The last of the State Fair patronage enjoys a whirl on Sunday. Tonight midway rides will be in action in South Boston.
09-21-1973: Virginia State Fair.
09-22-1975: Stuffed toy prizes await players who can toss ping pong balls into glass containers. Booth workers admit odds against winning are high but contend the midway games are honest.
09-29-1976: Mrs. William Reed III, son Billy, meet Gov. Mills Godwin Jr. at fair. Godwin insisted on shaking every extended hand and hugging every available child.
09-20-1980: Jimmy Rap, sword swallower.
09-24-1980: Gov. and Mrs. John Dalton at the State Fair.
09-20-1980: Virginia State Fair
09-25-1981: Richard Humphreys watches macaw while rabbit plays and chicken dances at fair. Food, sounds are used to persuade animals to perform in unusual act.
10-02-1983: 'Doc' Barth holds conversation with his partner, Max, at State Fair.
09-28-1985: Andy Barlow waited for popcorn buyers at State Fair.
