A new poll reveals that a significant 72% of Westerners prioritize conservation over oil and gas development, marking a shift towards environmental protection. The data indicates a growing preference for clean air and wildlife habitat, while fewer support increased drilling. This trend reflects a consistent desire for public land preservation across various political ideologies.
A recent poll by Colorado College indicates significant support among Westerners for conservation over oil and gas development. As oil and gas production surges in the U.S., 72% of respondents in eight Western states prefer prioritizing clean air, water, and wildlife protection, a 2% increase from the previous year. Only 24% support expanded oil and gas drilling, leading to a notable 48-point margin favoring conservation, the highest since the poll’s inception fifteen years ago.
Katrina Miller-Stevens, associate professor at Colorado College, noted, “The consensus favoring public lands conservation remains consistent and strong in the West.” This sentiment is echoed across political lines, with no significant call for increased oil and gas development. The poll, conducted in collaboration with Republican and Democratic pollsters, surveyed 3,316 residents, primarily conservatives and independents, across eight states.
The poll results emerge amidst significant political tensions over public land policies, exacerbated by recent job cuts in federal departments linked to the Trump administration. Over 5,400 employees were terminated from the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture, with critics labeling the firings a “Valentine’s Day Massacre.” Critics highlight the close ties of appointed officials to the oil and gas sector.
Calls have been made in Utah and Wyoming for state control over public lands, but these proposals have faced legal challenges and legislative failures. Rachael Hamby, policy director at the Center for Western Priorities, 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.”
Support for conservation measures remains robust, with 87% favoring career officials making land management decisions over politically appointed individuals. Furthermore, about 90% of surveyed Westerners wish to maintain national monument protections established in the last decade. Sentiments on climate action also vary, with 77% backing federal initiatives in New Mexico and 52% in Wyoming.
Overall, the poll reflects a strong desire among Westerners for conservation-focused leadership. As governmental shifts occur, it is crucial for elected officials to align their actions with constituents’ preferences, as emphasized by Rachael Hamby: “If elected officials are straying too far from what their constituents want to see, they’re going to have to answer to their voters.”
In summary, the recent Conservation in the West Poll demonstrates strong public support for conservation over oil and gas drilling among Western states. This reflects a broader consensus among voters across political affiliations, emphasizing the importance of preserving public lands and addressing climate change. The findings may signal a potential political consequence for elected officials deviating from constituents’ preferences for environmental protection and sustainable management of public resources.
Original Source: www.hcn.org
