Gallop Poll: Most Americans Support Reducing Fossil Fuel Use

Most Americans support the general idea of dramatically reducing the country's use of fossil fuels over the next two decades as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change, according to a new poll by Gallop. Six in 10 U.S. adults say they would "strongly favor" (27%) or "favor" (33%) policies with this energy goal, while fewer than four in 10 say they would "oppose" (19%) or "strongly oppose" (17%) them. Support for rapidly slashing the country's use of fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal is significantly higher among Democrats (80%) and independents (60%) than among Republicans (37%).

The vast majority of Americans want to see more emphasis placed on the production of green energy sources -- specifically solar power (80%) and wind (70%). At the same time, they have mixed views about future production of fossil fuels. Relatively few want increased emphasis on oil (28%) or coal (22%); but about one in four think the emphasis on these should remain the same as it is now. Americans are most likely to want less emphasis on coal (50%), followed by oil (43%) and nuclear power (35%).

Support for greater emphasis on solar and wind energy has been stable since 2013, but support for more oil, natural gas and coal has fallen in that time.

Senators are unlikely to pass the Green New Deal in an upcoming vote on the legislation. But given that most Americans are open to legislation that has a goal of reducing global warming, the bill's sponsors have reason to continue to search for a solution that's more politically viable.

To read the whole press release, head over to Gallop.