# New Poll: Independents Overwhelmingly Support a Mandatory Cap on Carbon Emissions

*Published:* 2007-11-09
*Author:* Tony Kreindler

*This post is by Tony Kreindler, Media Director, National Climate Campaign, Environmental Defense.*

Environmental Defense commissioned the Republican polling firm [Ayres, McHenry & Associates](http://www.ayresmchenry.com/default.asp) – who no one could accuse of a left-wing bias – to survey voters in 49 swing congressional districts about their views on climate change (view [full survey results \[PDF\]](http://www.edf.org/documents/7848_Poll,%20independents%20in%20swing%20districtsl%20(EDF).pdf)).

Notably, independent voters – who could have a big say in which party controls the Congress after the next election – think that Congress should stop bickering and pass legislation that *requires* cuts in carbon emissions.

What’s more, Independents are more concerned that Congress will do too little and hurt our environment than do too much and hurt our economy.

All voters in swing districts trust Democrats over Republicans on environmental issues by a two-to-one margin; among Independents the margin is three-to-one. But all voters say that if their congressman supports legislation cutting carbon emissions, they’d be more likely to vote for him or her. Conversely, if their congressman blocks legislation cutting carbon emissions, they’d be less likely to vote for him or her.

**Voters of all political persuasions – but notably, Independents  
– are most likely to vote for candidates who say:**

- Climate change is a serious problem, versus climate change is exaggerated.
- Climate change is a scientific fact versus climate change is a hoax.
- U.S. should lead on carbon versus U.S. should wait for China and India to act.
- Carbon cuts would create jobs versus carbon cuts would drive jobs overseas.
- Carbon cuts would make us less dependent on foreign oil versus carbon cuts would make it harder to use coal.

Republicans lost control of the Congress in 2006 – even though their base turned out – because Independents voted overwhelmingly for Democrats. Candidates who want to win in the House should take note!