A recent poll reveals that 72% of Westerners prioritize public land conservation over oil and gas drilling, with significant support for climate action. Conducted by Colorado College, the survey shows a growing consensus against increased drilling, underscoring a disconnect between government actions and public preferences. Nearly 90% support maintaining recent national monument designations.
Recent polling reveals a significant majority of Westerners prioritize public land conservation over oil and gas production. The February 19 “Conservation in the West Poll” indicates that 72% of respondents from eight Western states favor protecting air and water quality along with wildlife habitats while promoting outdoor activities instead of expanding oil drilling. This support reflects a 2% increase from the previous year, marking the highest pro-conservation sentiment in the poll’s 15-year history.
Katrina Miller-Stevens, associate professor at Colorado College and former director of the State of the Rockies Project, noted that unified support for public land conservation spans across political affiliations. Despite political pressures for more oil and gas development, Western voters have shown consistent reluctance toward weakening national monument protections.
The poll surveyed 3,316 respondents, with a significant portion identifying as conservative or independent. Conducted in partnership with both Republican and Democratic pollsters, it demonstrated that only 24% of those surveyed endorsed increased oil and gas drilling on public lands, clearly favoring conservation.
In a concerning political climate, actions by the Trump administration, including large-scale employee firings in environmental departments, have sparked criticism. Such moves are thought to ignore the public’s desire for land conservation, as articulated by Rachael Hamby, policy director at the Center for Western Priorities, who stated, “A lot of the actions that the Trump administration has taken or has proposed to take are pretty far out of step with what Westerners want to see in terms of our public lands.”
The survey also revealed widespread support for federal action on climate change, with nearly 75% of participants in favor of such initiatives. However, views varied by state: in New Mexico, 77% supported climate action, while in Wyoming, a state that predominantly voted for Trump, 52% endorsed federal efforts against climate change.
Furthermore, there is overwhelming backing for maintaining recently designated national monuments, with nearly 90% approval among respondents. As the new administration reevaluates these designations, Hamby emphasizes the importance of aligning policy decisions with public sentiment to ensure accountability to voters.
In summary, the latest poll underscores a strong preference among Western voters for public land conservation over oil and gas development. This sentiment is consistent across political ideologies, highlighting the disconnect between current federal policies and the priorities of local constituents. The findings elevate the urgency for elected officials to heed public opinion regarding land management and climate action to maintain accountability.
Original Source: www.hcn.org
