North Dakota's diverse environmental views revealed in statewide poll

A recent poll in North Dakota shows a wide range of opinions on climate change, carbon capture, and electric vehicles, reflecting the state's varied environmental perspectives.

Jeff Beach reports for North Dakota Monitor.


In short:

  • The poll indicates that 43% of North Dakota voters see climate change as a serious problem, with a clear divide along party lines.
  • Opinions on carbon capture and storage are mixed, with many residents undecided about its effectiveness in reducing climate change impacts.
  • There is low interest in electric vehicles among North Dakotans, with 85% unlikely to purchase one next.

Key quote:

“We found that opinions on environmental issues have become highly politicized."

— Trevor Smith, chief research officer at WPA Intelligence

Why this matters:

The poll results highlight the complexity of environmental issues in North Dakota, a state known for its extreme weather and significant role in energy production. Understanding these diverse viewpoints is crucial for developing effective environmental policies and addressing climate change challenges.

Be sure to read Peter Dykstra’s 2022 piece: Pipeline politics.

Iceland's snowy, icy, landscape

How a warming planet could turn Iceland into a glacier

Human-driven warming could cause the collapse of AMOC, a powerful ocean current system, and throw Iceland into a deep freeze.
Big yellow mining truck at coal mine work site
Credit: pkproject/BigStock Photo ID: 90725906

Wyoming coal production nosedives, with more trouble ahead

Stockpiles at coal-burning utilities are flush following a mild winter and increasing competition from renewables and natural gas.
EXXON sign against blue-sky background
Credit: Wolterk/BigStock Photo ID: 151650362

Longtime Exxon lawyers retreat from oil company’s climate cases

Attorneys from the law firm Paul, Weiss are no longer representing the oil company in at least four lawsuits that ask the fossil fuel industry to pay for climate impacts.

The White House with lawn and trees in foreground.

Trump team: EPA pushback fueled fed-firing rule

The regulation is designed to swiftly remove policymaking civil servants who undermine the president’s directives.
white and red airplane pouring red powder on fire with dark smoke in background.
Credit: Ben Kuo/Unsplash

Endangerment finding: Trump allies near 'total victory' in wiping out U.S. climate regulation

A small group of conservative activists has worked for 16 years to stop all government efforts to fight climate change. Their efforts seem poised to pay off.
Old oil pump jack in a grassy green field.

Illinois taxpayers could be on the hook for millions in cleanup costs from old oil and gas wells

A new report suggests Illinois could be on the hook for plugging and cleaning up thousands of inactive and abandoned oil and gas wells scattered across the state.

Interior of chemical factory or plant workshop with metal industrial manufacturing production equipment

Opinion: Artificial intelligence can spur chemical plant decarbonization

AI can help engineers navigate thousands of decisions each shift, including constant energy, emissions, and cost trade-offs.

From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.