PRESS RELEASE: New polling ahead of Nov. election shows voters in California’s Western San Joaquin Valley want stronger action on climate change

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT: Anthony Victoria

anthony@sunstonestrategies.org

909-637-6369

New polling ahead of Nov. election shows voters in California’s Western San Joaquin Valley want stronger action on climate change 

Stockton, CA — After a summer of unprecedented climate-fueled wildfires and heat waves, the issue of climate change is a top-of-mind for voters casting their ballot in California’s Stockton area, according to a new poll released today by the California League of Conservation Voters Education Fund and the California Environmental Justice Alliance (CEJA).

The poll, which surveyed California residents in western San Joaquin Valley, just weeks before election day, found that 65% of voters in the district say that climate change has played a strong role fueling this year’s fires and heat waves—and a majority of residents agree that California leaders should take stronger action against the climate crisis by accelerating the transition to 100% clean energy.

In addition to accelerating California’s clean energy targets, a majority of voters in the Stockton area also want leaders to enact stronger environmental rules on the agricultural industry to protect public health and the environment. Nearly nearly 70% of residents support stricter rules on pesticides—a policy that would protect California’s agricultural workers, whose vital work fed California amidst climate-fueled disasters and a global pandemic, from exposure to toxic chemicals.

“Elected officials and people running for elected office can no longer ignore the massive amounts of public support to address pollution and climate change. People want real solutions, not just words and promises. We need leaders who are willing to stand up against polluting industries and who will always put the health of their constituents over profit,” said Melissa Romero, Legislative Affairs Manager with the California League of Conservation Voters.  

Pollution from fossil fuels has disproportionately harmed frontline communities for decades—and in the Stockton area voters agree that these communities must be first in line to receive the health benefits from the transition to clean energy. A majority agree that the transition to 100% clean energy should happen first in low-income communities to cut pollution and increase clean energy jobs. 

Additional results from the western Joaquin Valley polling include: 

  • 71% of voters support a fracking ban in California.
  • 69% agree that the state should require a safety buffer zone to protect Californians living near oil and gas facilities.
  • 55% of voters want water policy to prioritize clean, sustainable drinking water.
  • Voters overwhelmingly want the state to prioritize environmental protections and clean energy over oil and gas production.
  • 63% support stronger oil regulations, even if it means some good-paying oil jobs will be disrupted.

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