Memo: Green Industrial Policy for Domestic and Global Climate Justice Is Popular
Authors: Daniel Aldana Cohen, Thea Riofrancos, Billy Fleming, and Jason Ganz
Executive Summary:
Even with talking points giving partisan cues, a green industrial policy agenda is popular. For nearly every element of a progressive green industrial policy, consistent with the Green New Deal, support outweighed opposition, usually by substantial margins. This was true for both Democrats and Independents. And in every question, we offered typical Democratic and Republican talking points, to indicate the standard terms of debate
There is broad support for massive investment in green technology. We found greater support than opposition for a trillion-dollar investment in green technology across every demographic group and party identification label except Republicans, who strongly oppose the policy
Specific examples of green technology, including collective and justice-oriented measures, are very popular. We found strong support for a number of specific green technology investments, including over 60% support for investments in renewable energy, smart grid technology, battery technology, electric buses, and retrofitting buildings with a focus on low-income housing. The one concrete green technology that most respondents opposed investing in was meat alternatives.
Concrete examples of green technology are popular with Republicans. More Republicans support than oppose investments in renewable energy, electric buses, underground high-voltage transmission, electric minivans and pickup trucks for rural and suburban areas, smart grid technology, retrofitting buildings with an emphasis on low-income housing, and battery technology.
Generous fair trade politics in green technologies in solidarity with low-income countries is popular. There is majority support—55% in favor—for two kinds of green fair trade: new trade rules to ensure strong labor rights, consultation of indigenous communities, and sustainable practices for mining and manufacturing in low-income countries; and sharing green technology at low- or no-cost with low-income countries. This is consistent with a broader “climate justice” agenda.
Democratizing access to high-level work in green technology is popular. There is greater support than opposition for full federal scholarships to cover the costs of graduate degrees in fields linked to new green technologies, for anyone with the talent and qualification.
Background:
The global economy is hurting and conditions are likely to worsen substantially. The spread of COVID-19 has reached global pandemic status. Increasing disruption is triggering underlying weaknesses in the global and domestic US economies. Markets are crashing. Besides the terrible short-term costs of illness and recession, we must worry about a fossil fueled reboot where “retaliatory emissions” would result from a return to oil, gas, and coal-powered growth. Ongoing carbon pollution threatens runaway climate chaos.
Economic crises also present opportunities for transformative change. For the first time since the Great Recession, oil demand appears to be flattening. The fossil fuel sector, already hugely reliant on government subsidies, will no doubt demand more state largesse to stay afloat. (The Trump administration is already plotting a bailout of shale companies.) But the public shouldn’t foot the bill for planetary destruction. Instead, progressive policymakers and movements should seize the moment to fight for a Green New Deal.
We need massive public investment to deploy and improve life-saving green technologies.
