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.

off shore wind farm against setting sun

UK among 10 countries to build 100GW wind power grid in North Sea

Energy secretary Ed Miliband says clean energy project is part of efforts to leave ‘the fossil fuel rollercoaster.’

Natural gas pipe line compressor processing station
Credit: Copyright: wlfella/ BigStock Photo ID: 3821519

EPA limits consideration of health impacts from chemical and turbine rules

Recent EPA actions on perchlorate and gas turbines show a key shift in the agency’s regulatory approach.

Flags of the European Union
Credit: Photo by Antoine Schibler on Unsplash

UN chemical expert: 'There's pressure on EU from US to weaken regulatory controls'

Chemical pollution remains one of the world’s most under-recognised crises. Dr Marcos A. Orellana, UN special rapporteur on toxics and human rights since 2020, talks to EUobserver about the wide gap between the science and the political will, the hidden risks of hazardous chemicals.
EPA head Lee Zeldin at Turning Point USA event
Credit: gage Skidmore/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/gageskidmore/ https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

Trump’s grant terminations upheld by Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

Six cities and 13 nonprofit groups still cannot recoup millions of dollars after the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals this week overturned a lower court’s ruling that forbade the Trump administration from terminating or freezing grant funding for environmental justice, agricultural and climate programs.

A man using a snow blower on a snowy day

‘Exceptionally cold’: How a warming Arctic is pushing the US and Eastern Europe into a deep freeze

Warm Arctic waters and cold continental land are combining to stretch the dreaded polar vortex in a way that sent much of the United States a devastating dose of winter weather.

A helicopter dropping water onto a wildfire with burning trees in the background

Many Amazon climate disasters are missing from official records, study finds

More than 12,500 extreme climate events were registered in the Amazon biome between 2013 and 2023, according to a recent study, but many more events were never recorded.

Two men in suits tallying numbers on a calculator

After decades of deflection, ExxonMobil moves to reshape global climate accounting

For decades, ExxonMobil argued consumers, not oil giants, should take responsibility for fossil fuel pollution. It’s now backing an accounting scheme that moves pollution “liabilities” to buyers’ books.

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.