Environmental Politics in the American West

Environmental politics inthe American West 1/20/13

EcoWest missionInform and advance conservation in the AmericanWest by analyzing, visualizing, and sharing dataon environmental trends. 1/20/13

EcoWest decks This is one of six presentations that illustrate key environmental metrics. Libraries for each topic contain additional slides. Issue Sample metrics Water Per capita water consumption, price of water, trends in transfers Biodiversity Number of endangered species, government funding for species protection Wildfires Size and number of wildfires, suppression costs Land Area protected by land trusts, location of proposed wilderness areas Climate Temperature and precipitation projections Politics Conservation funding, public opinion Download presentations and libraries at ecowest.org 1/20/13

Table of contents 1. Public opinion State of the environment Specific issues and policies Climate change 2. Conservation funding Federal budget and agencies Ballot measures Philanthropy 1/20/13

PUBLIC OPINION 1/20/13

Key points: public opinion The environment doesnt rank high on the publics agenda, but a majority of Americans remain concerned about a wide variety of environmental problems The public agrees with many of the environmental movements policy goals, but only about a fifth of Americans identify themselves as active participants The Great Recession has shifted public opinion away from environmental concerns over the past few years Air and water pollution tend to be the most worrisome environmental issues Disasters, such as the BP oil spill, can cause spikes of interest in environmental issues Whos in the White House can influence perceptions of environmental quality: the 2008 election caused more Americans to say things are improving Americans remain split on global warming, especially along party lines, with a significant percentage saying the threat is exaggerated and will not affect their lives 1/20/13

STATE OF THEENVIRONMENT 1/20/13

Whats the most important problem facing the U.S.? Economy in general Unemployment/Jobs Dissatisfaction with government Federal budget deficit/Federal debtPoor healthcare/hospitals; High cost of healthcare Lack of money Education/Poor education/Access to educationEthics/moral/religious/family decline; Dishonesty Immigration/Illegal aliens Care for the elderly/Medicare Corporate corruption Energy/Lack of energy sources Environment/Pollution Foreign aid/Focus overseas Fuel/Oil prices Gap between rich and poor International issues, problems Judicial system/Courts/Laws Lack of military defense Lack of respect for each other 1% each Poverty/ Hunger/Homelessness Taxes The media Unifying the country Wage issues Wars/War (nonspecific)/Fear of war Welfare 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 Percent Source: Gallup 1/20/13

Public concern about the environment How much do you personally worry about the quality of the environment? 100 No opinion 90 Not at all 80 Only a little 70 Fair amountPercent 60 Great deal 50 Great deal + fair amount 40 30 20 10 0 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Source: Gallup 1/20/13

Environmental quality How would you rate the overall quality of the environment in this country today? 100 90 80 70Percent 60 Excellent 50 Good 40 Only fair 30 20 Poor 10 No opinion 0 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Source: Gallup 1/20/13

Trajectory of environmental quality Right now, do you think the quality of the environment in the country as a whole is getting better or worse? 80 Obama elected 70 60Percent 50 40 30 Getting better Getting worse Same 20 No opinion 10 0 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Source: Gallup 1/20/13

Presidents performance on environment protection Do you think the President is doing a good job or a poor job in protecting the nations environment? Obama 90 elected 80 70Percent 60 50 40 30 20 Good job Poor job 10 0 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Source: Gallup 1/20/13

Participation in environmental movement Do you think of yourself as an active participant in the environmental movement; sympathetic towards the movement, but not active; neutral; or unsympathetic? 60 50Percent 40 Sympathetic, b ut not active Neutral 30 Active 20 participant Unsympathetic 10 No opinion 0 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Source: Gallup 1/20/13

Publics opinion of the environmental movement All things considered, do you think the environmental movement in this nation has done more good than harm, or more harm than good? Definitely more good than harm Probably more good than harm 50 Probably more harm than good Definitely more harm than good No opinion 45 40 35Percent 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Source: Gallup 1/20/13

Environment vs. economy Do you think that protection of the environment should be given priority, even at the risk of curbing economic growth, or do you think economic growth should be given priority, even if the environment suffers to some extent? 80 Gulf oil 70 spill 60Percent 50 40 30 20 Protection of the environment should be given priority 10 Economic growth should be given priority 0 1990 1993 2003 1987 1984 2000 2011 1986 1989 1995 2005 2012 1997 1998 2008 1991 2001 2007 2010 1985 1994 2004 1988 1996 1999 2006 2009 1992 2002 Source: Gallup 1/20/13

Environment vs. energy supply Do you think protection of the environment should be given priority, even at the risk of limiting the amount of energy suppliessuch as oil, gas and coalwhich the United States produces, or do you think the development of U.S. energy supplies should be given priority, even if the environment suffers to some extent? Gulf oil 70 spill 60Percent 50 40 30 Protection of the environmental should be given priority. Development of U.S. energy supplies should be given priority. 20 Both/equally Neither/other 10 No opinion 0 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Source: Gallup 1/20/13

Governments role in environmental protection Do you think the government is doing too much or too little to protect the environment? 80 Too much 70 Too little About the right 60 amount No opinionPercent 50 40 30 20 10 0 Source: Gallup 1/20/13

Environment versus economy in the West As part of efforts to improve their state economy and generate jobs as quickly as possible, some people have proposed reducing protections on land, air and water that apply to major industries, including construction and agriculture. Would you prefer your state to reduce these protections or maintain them? 100 90 80Percent 70 60 50 Maintain Reduce 40 30 20 10 0 Colorado Utah Wyoming Montana New Mexico Source: State of the Rockies Project 1/20/13

Strength of environmental laws: the West What is your feeling about the current status of environmental laws? Laws strong enough, but should be better enforced Laws, enforcement should be left as they are Laws strong enough Laws too strict, need to be relaxed 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 Percent Source: State of the Rockies Project 1/20/13

SPECIFIC ISSUES 1/20/13

What environmental issues are most worrisome? How much do you personally worry about the following environmental issues? 100 90Percent saying great deal or fair amount 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Pollution of rivers, lakes, and reservoirs Pollution of drinking water Nations supply of freshwater for household needs Air pollution Extinction of plant and animal species Global warming Source: Gallup 1/20/13

What environmental issues are most worrisome? How much do you personally worry about the following environmental issues? 80 Pollution of lakes, rivers, and reservoirs 70 Air pollutionPercent saying great deal 60 Global warming Pollution of drinking water 50 Extinction of plant and animal species 40 Maintenance of the nations supply of fresh water for household needs 30 Loss of tropical rainforests Contamination of soil and water 20 by toxic waste Source: Gallup 1/20/13

What environmental issues are most worrisome? Pollution of drinking water Contamination of soil and water by toxic waste Pollution of lakes, rivers, and reservoirsMaintenance of freshwater supply for household needs Loss of natural habitat for wildlife Air pollution Loss of tropical rainforests Damage to the ozone layer Extinction of plant and animal species Global warming Urban sprawl and loss of open space Acid rain 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 Percent Source: Gallup 1/20/13

Most important environmental issue: CA What is the most important environmental issue facing California? Dont know Other Regulation/environmentalists Jobs/economy/budget Pollution in general Loss of forests/wildfires Landfills/waste/recycling Global warming/climate change Gas prices Energy, oil drilling Water supply, drought Water pollution Air pollution 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% Source: Public Policy Institute of California 1/20/13

Worry over environmental issues: the West What areas are most frequently expressed as environmental concerns? Air/air pollution/clean air Water/water pollution clean water Water supplies/drought Wildlife Pollution (general) Oil/gas drilling Federal government Energy issues/general Public lands/drilling/development on them Renewable energy/alternative fuels 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 Percent Source: State of the Rockies Project 1/20/13

Seriousness of environmental problems: the West What is the seriousness of the following environmental problems? Poorly-planned growth and development Loss of family farms and ranches Pollution of rivers, lakes and streams Air pollution and smogFunding cuts for state parks, natural area protection, and water quality Loss of habitat for fish and wildlife Inadequate water supplies Toxins and pesticides in food and drinking water Extremely Serious Serious Loss of natural areas The impact of mining The impact of oil and gas and drilling Lack of access to public lands Global warming Cliamte change Lack of access to lands and rivers for hunting and fishing 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% Source: State of the Rockies Project 1/20/13

CLIMATE CHANGE 1/20/13

Understanding of global warming Thinking about the issue of global warming, how well do you feel you understand this issue? 100 90 80 70Percent 60 No opinion 50 Not at all 40 Only a little Fair amont 30 Great deal 20 Great deal + 10 fair amount 0 Source: Gallup 1/20/13

Anticipating the effects of global warming Which of the following statements reflects your view of when the effects of global warming will begin to happen? 70 60 50 Already begunPercent Within a few years 40 Within your lifetime 30 Not within lifetime, but affect future 20 Will never happen No opinion 10 0 Source: Gallup 1/20/13

Causes of global warming Do you believe increases in the Earths temperature over the last century are due more to the effects of pollution from human activities or natural changes in the environment that are not due to human activities? 70 60 50Percent 40 30 Human activities Natural causes 20 No opinion 10 0 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Source: Gallup 1/20/13

Will global warming pose a serious threat? Do you think that global warming will pose a serious threat to you or your way of life in your lifetime? 80 Yes No 70 No opinion 60Percent 50 40 30 20 10 0 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Source: Gallup 1/20/13

Is global warming exaggerated in the news? Thinking about what is said in the news, in your view is the seriousness of global warming generally exaggerated, generally correct, or is it generally underestimated? 60 Generally exaggerated Generally underestimated 50 Generally correct No opinionPercent 40 30 20 10 0 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Source: Gallup 1/20/13

Is the global warming threat exaggerated? Percentage saying news of global warming is exaggerated, by party identification 70 60 50Percent 40 Republicans Independents 30 Democrats 20 10 0 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Source: Gallup 1/20/13

Views of global warming: the West What are your views of global warming? Is immediate action required? Concern greatly exagerrated Enough evidence, take some action Global warming serious, need immediate action Dont know enough, need more research 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 Percent Source: State of the Rockies Project 1/20/13

Support for regulating carbon emissions Do you support the EPA regulation of carbon emissions? 80 70 60Percent 50 40 30 20 10 0 Colorado New Mexico Utah Montana Wyoming Source: State of the Rockies Project 1/20/13

Concern over climate change impact: CA What do you perceive as the most threatening impacts of climate change in California? 90 80 70 60Percent 50 40 30 20 10 0 Wildfires that are more Increased air pollution Droughts that are more Increased flooding severe severe Source: Public Policy Institute of California 1/20/13

CONSERVATION FUNDING 1/20/13

Key points: conservation funding 1) Federal funding In real terms, the budgets of major environmental agencies have been fairly steady over the past decade The distribution among different programs also tends to remain relatively constant 2) Ballot measures Open-space bonds and other conservation measures usually pass at the polls but considerably fewer have been put to voters during the economic downturn 3) Philanthropic The distribution of funding by issue area changes significantly from year to year Energy and climate-related funding saw big increases 1/20/13

FEDERAL BUDGET 1/20/13

How your federal tax dollars are spent Medicaid Low-income 8% assistance 9% Net interest Unemployment payments compensation 7% 5% Medicare 13% Veterans Affairs 3% Education 3% Law enforcement/homeland security 2% Transportation 2% Health (not Defense Medicare/Medicaid) 20% 2% Management of federal employees and buildings 1% Social Security Environmental protection 21% and natural resources 1% All others 3% Source: Third Way 1/20/13

Top federal programs related to the environment Electric reliability organizations Ocean oil drilling regulation and natural resource leases Energy efficient housing Lead hazard control and healthy homesBureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement Natural Resources Conservation Service Efficient vehicle development Mine Safety and Health Administration U.S. Terroritories oversight Coal mine oversight and cleanup U.S. Geological Survey Dams, powerplants and reservoirs Department of Interior Bureau of Land Management U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Park Service National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Energy research, statisics and analysis Clean energy U.S. Forest Service U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Environmental Protection Agency $0 $5 $10 $15 Billions Source: Third Way 1/20/13

EPA budget by major category 12 10 8Billions (2012 dollars) Chemicals and pollution Enforcing environmental laws 6 Climate change and air quality Cleaning up communities Protecting water 4 2 0 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1/20/13

Forest Service: wildfires consume largest slice 10 9 8 7 6Billions (Dollars) 5 Supplemental/Emergency/Reserve Other Appropriations 4 Land Acquisition: LWCF State and Private Forestry 3 Forest and Rangeland Research Capital Improvement and 2 Maintenance Mandatory Appropriations National Forest System 1 Wildland Fire Management 0 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Source: U.S. Forest Service 1/20/13

Department of Interior budgets: 2003-2013 25 Other Offices of the Solicitor and Inspector General 20 Minerals Management Service/Ocean Energy Management Insular Affairs Office of Special Trustee for American Indians 15 Office of Surface MiningBillions (2012 dollars) Geological Survey Bureau of Reclamation 10 Bureau of Land Management Department Wide Programs Fish and Wildlife Service 5 Departmental Management Bureau of Indian Affairs National Park Service 0 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Source: Department of Interior 1/20/13

Funding for key agencies in Department of Interior 4.5 4 3.5 3Billions (2012 dollars) 2.5 National Park Service Fish and Wildlife Service Bureau of Land Management 2 Bureau of Reclamation Geological Survey 1.5 1 0.5 0 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Source: Department of Interior 1/20/13

National Park Service 4.5 4 Land and Water Conservation Fund Contract Authority Miscellaneous Trust Funds (Includes 3.5 Donations) Outer Continental Shelf Oil Lease Revenues 3 Spectrum Relocation Activities Other Permanent AppropriationsBillions (2012 dollars) 2.5 Recreation Fee Permanent Appropriations 2 Land Acquisition and State Assistance Construction 1.5 Historic Preservation Fund Urban Park and Recreation Fund 1 National Recreation and Preservation 0.5 Park Partnership Project Grants Operation of the National Park System 0 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Source: National Park Service 1/20/13

US Bureau of Land Management Construction and access 1,600 Permanent operating funds Range improvements 1,400 Land acquisition Oregon and California grant lands 1,200 Management of lands/resourcesMillions (2012 dollars) 1,000 800 600 400 200 0 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Source: Bureau of Land Management 1/20/13

US Fish and Wildlife Service 3.5 Construction 3 North American wetlands conservation fund 2.5 Migratory bird conservation account State and tribal wildlife grantsBillions (2012 dollars) 2 Land acquisition 1.5 Cooperative endangered species conservation fund Federal aid in wildlife 1 restoration Sport fish restoration 0.5 Resource management 0 Other 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 -0.5 Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1/20/13

Land and Water Conservation Fund 1200 1000 800 Receipts received FundMillions (Dollars) 600 appropriations 400 200 0 Source: Department of Interior 1/20/13

BALLOT MEASURES 1/20/13

Conservation funding from ballot measures $180 $10 Conservation funds approved Funds per measure $9 $160 $8 $140 $7 Billions (2012 dollars) Millions (2012 dollars) $120 $6 $100 $5 $80 $4 $60 $3 $40 $2 $20 $1 $- $- Source: Trust for Public Land 1/20/13

Conservation ballot measures: number and success 100.0% 250 Number of measures 90.0% Passage rate 80.0% 200 Number of Measures Passed 70.0% 60.0% 150Percent 50.0% 40.0% 100 30.0% 20.0% 50 10.0% 0.0% 0 Source: Trust for Public Land 1/20/13

PHILANTHROPY 1/20/13

EGA member funding by issue area: 2007 International Trade & Finance Population Material Consumption & Waste Management Indigenous Populations/Communities Toxics Transportation Environmental Health Environmental Justice Fresh Water/Inland Water Ecosystems Sustainable Communities Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems Energy Climate/Atmosphere General/Multi-Issue Biodiversity & Species Preservation Coastal & Marine Ecosystem Terrestrial Ecosystems & Land-use 0 100 200 300 Millions (Dollars) Source: Environmental Grantmakers Association 1/20/13

EGA member funding by issue area: 2009 Population Material Consumption & Waste Management Indigenous Populations/Communities Toxics International Trade & Finance Environmental Justics Environmental Health Sustainable Communities Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems Transportation Fresh Water/Inland Water Ecosystems Biodiversity & Species Preservation Undefined Coastal & Marine Ecosystem Terrestrial Ecosystems & Land-use Energy Climate/Atmosphere -50 50 150 250 Millions (Dollars) Source: Environmental Grantmakers Association 1/20/13

Change in funding: 2007 to 2009 Transportation Toxics Terrestrial Ecosystems & Land-use Sustainable Communities Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems Population Material Consumption & Waste Management International Trade & Finance Indigenous Populations/Communities General/Multiple/Undefined Fresh Water/Inland Water Ecosystems Environmental Justice Environmental Health Energy Coastal & Marine Ecosystem Climate/Atmosphere Biodiversity & Species Preservation -100 -50 0 50 100 Millions (Dollars) Source: Environmental Grantmakers Association 1/20/13

Percent change in funding: 2007 to 2009 Transportation Toxics Terrestrial Ecosystems & Land-use Sustainable Communities Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems Population Material Consumption & Waste Management International Trade & Finance Indigenous Populations/Communities General/Multiple/Undefined Fresh Water/Inland Water Ecosystems Environmental Justice Environmental Health Energy Coastal & Marine Ecosystem Climate/Atmosphere Biodiversity & Species Preservation-100 -50 0 50 100 150 Percent Source: Environmental Grantmakers Association 1/20/13

Conclusion Environmental issues rank low on the publics agenda, but Americans remain concerned about many environmental problems, especially pollution. While Americans often agree with environmentalists policy goals, only about a fifth identify themselves as active participants in the movement. Hostility toward environmentalists appears to be rising and the Great Recession has shifted public opinion away from environmental concerns over the past few years Disasters, such as the BP oil spill, and presidential elections can cause big changes in public opinion on the environment but they may be short-lived. Budgets for federal environmental agencies have remained relatively steady, but philanthropic funding priorities may vary greatly from year to year. Open-space bonds and other conservation measures usually pass at the polls but considerably fewer have been put to voters during the economic downturn. 1/20/13

Download more slides and other libraries ecowest.org Contact us by e-mailing [email protected] 1/20/13

EcoWest advisors Jon Christensen, Adjunct Assistant Professor and Pritzker Fellow at the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability and Department of History at UCLA; former director of Bill Lane Center for the American West at Stanford. Bruce Hamilton, Deputy Executive Director for the Sierra Club, where he has worked for more than 35 years; member of the World Commission on Protected Areas; former Field Editor for High Country News. Robert Glennon, Regents Professor and Morris K. Udall Professor of Law and Public Policy, Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona; author of Water Follies and Unquenchable. 1/20/13

EcoWest advisors Jonathan Hoekstra, head of WWFs Conservation Science Program, lead author of The Atlas of Global Conservation, and former Senior Scientist at The Nature Conservancy. Timothy Male, Vice President of Conservation Policy for Defenders of Wildlife, where he directs the Habitat and Highways, Conservation Planning, Federal Lands, Oregon Biodiversity Partnership, and Economics programs. Thomas Swetnam, Regents Professor of Dendrochronology, Director of the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research at the University of Arizona, and a leading expert on wildfires and Western forests. 1/20/13

Contributors at California Environmental Associates Mitch Tobin Editor of EcoWest.org Communications Director at CEA Micah Day Associate at CEA Matthew Elliott Contact us by e-mailing Principal at CEA [email protected] Max Levine Associate at CEA Caroline Ott Research Associate at CEA Sarah Weldon Affiliated consultant at CEA 1/20/13

Environmental Politics in the American West

News & Politics

bp oil spill

shifted public

public policy

americans

gallup 12013

public opinion

global warming

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