How Political Differences Relate to the Association Between Region and Support for Clean Energy Policies

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Nigel Hayes
Nigel Hayes

Hayes is a sophomore student that majors in Computer Science and Government at Wesleyan University. He’s studying data analysis, software and product development to build multiple social enterprises in the future. In 2020 so far, Hayes pitched two business ideas competitively and created a demo for an educational STEM game* targeted to elementary students.

Abstract: A lack of renewable energy and energy efficient (RE3) policies in the Unites States has contributed to faster erosion for infrastructure and habitable land in the United States. Previous research has demonstrated that state politics have an influence over voter perceptions of proposed legislation. However, these investigations have focused on longitudinal analyses of general information; there was no connection established to RE3 policies–critical information that could inform lawmakers on what solutions their citizens support. We used data from the 2017 National Survey on Energy and the Environment (NSEE), a nationally representative sample of non-institutionalized adults in the U.S. Using this survey, we gathered information related to (a) region residency and (b) political party affiliation to determine what connections existed between these variables and the support of RE3 policies. Despite earlier predictions, there was no association found between region residency and average support for RE3 policies. These findings indicate that while some regions hold varying views around renewable energy solutions, there is not enough evidence that their political views influence them further.

Keywords: climate, energy, efficient, policy, United States, state, renewable, region, political party

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NHayes-RE3-Policy-Poster-1

Does age influence tendency to believe in human-caused climate change?

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Liana Biasucci
Liana Biasucci

Hi! I am a graduating senior (’21) at Wesleyan majoring in Economics & Environmental Studies. I enjoy hiking and I am learning how to crochet. I’m currently trying to crochet a blanket.

Abstract: Climate change denial runs rampant in the United States, and many younger people who do believe tend to blame the older generations for being skeptics, reluctant to change, and overly influential in voting decisions about climate change. This analysis uses data from the Fall 2017 National Survey on Energy and Environment (NSEE) to examine differences in tendency towards belief between age categories. I find that the oldest age group (65+) is significantly more likely to believe the earth is warming than the youngest (18-29). This topic is important because identifying which groups are less likely to believe in climate change can allow activists to better target messaging to improve motivation to act on climate mitigation strategies. 

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