Joint Center Releases Climate Survey Report

The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies (Joint Center) has undertaken a major poll of African Americans’ opinions on the issue of climate change, in which they found that more than half of black voters believe it to be a serious problem that the nation must address. In the report, "OPINION OF AFRICAN AMERICANS ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND 2010 MIDTERM ELECTIONS: THE RESULTS OF A MULTI-STATE POLL: The View from Arkansas , Indiana , Missouri , and South Carolina," the findings of surveys they conducted focus on determining how African American view climate change. It also speculates on how these views might affect the outcomes of the mid-term national elections this November.

The report is based on a survey of 500 black voters in each of the four states. According to the new polling:

 In every state, three out of four respondents said climate change was either very or somewhat important in choosing a U.S. Senator – and in Arkansas and South Carolina, a majority said it was very important.

 Even in tough economic times, a majority of African Americans in all four states would pay up to 10 dollars per month more in electric rates to combat global warming. More than one in four respondents would pay an additional 25 dollars per month.

 About 9 out of 10 African Americans in all four states support government investment in green jobs, and even more support green vocational educational programs to help prepare students for green jobs.