OpenCampaign

Environment

State climate change mitigation

California’s role in climate change mitigation is a leading public issue, with majorities favoring state action but opposition concentrated in very conservative areas, and the topic remaining a point of significant conflict between the state and federal government.

How far should California go in mitigating climate change?

How OpenCampaign quiz-takers stand on this issue

38% call it a high-priority issue (rating it 7+ out of 10).

  1. Liberal43%
  2. Lean liberal25%
  3. Moderate15%
  4. Lean conservative6%
  5. Conservative11%

High-priority share over time

39%201635%201754%201937%202042%202144%202239%202333%202442%202545%2026

The high-priority share has ranged 33–54% since 2016. Election-year cohorts skew casual and under-rate every issue, so the dips around 2020 and 2024 partly reflect who took the quiz, not a shift in opinion.

Where do you stand?

How far should California go in mitigating climate change?

How important is this to you?

Sources

Public Policy Institute of California — https://www.ppic.org/publication/californias-political-geography
We have enough data to explore four key issues that have been at the forefront of the public conversation: the size of state government, the benefits and costs of immigrants and immigration, California’s role in climate change mitigation, and abortion access.
Public Policy Institute of California — https://www.ppic.org/publication/californias-political-geography
Most Californians agree on several key issues. Though the exact level of support varies, majorities across the state support abortion access, view immigrants as a benefit, and favor state action on climate change. Opposition is mostly limited to very conservative areas in the far north of the state.
Positions on this issue  ·  liberal → conservative
  1. Lead with the strongest possible mandates, phase-outs, and public investment regardless of federal pullback
  2. Keep ambitious state climate targets and clean-energy buildout with equity safeguards
  3. Support climate action balanced against reliability and household cost impacts
  4. Scale back costly mandates and favor gradual, technology-neutral emissions approaches
  5. End California-only climate rules that raise energy costs and leave mitigation to national/global markets