While partisan politics may divide Floridians on many topics, nearly two-thirds of residents on both sides of the political aisle say that more action is needed to protect the state’s environment, and they strongly support taxpayer-funded initiatives that protect natural lands and endangered species.
“It was a little surprising but not entirely,” said Stephen Neely, the University of South Florida associate professor who conducted the survey in July 2021. “Gov. (Ron) DeSantis is a proponent of conservation and has effectively reframed environmental issues.”
“It is my personal observation that people, regardless of political affiliation, have more in common than is sometimes recognized in political circles,” adds Barbara Sheen Todd, chairman of the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council’s Agency on Bay Management and a Pinellas County commissioner for more than 20 years.
Perhaps the most surprising response was bipartisan support for a tax on corporations to offset the carbon emissions that cause climate change. Three-quarters of respondents favored a tax, although Neely points out that details like how it would be imposed and how much it would cost were not part of the survey. Those responses might change with further information and the vocal opposition that would be likely if a proposal was on the table, he added.
And while the Florida legislature is in session, 56% of residents including 49% of Republicans say that local governments should be able to enact bans on single-use plastics. Currently, local governments are limited in regulating items like plastic straws, single-use grocery bags and Styrofoam containers by state mandates. “There’s a lot of debate about state mandates that make it illegal to outlaw something like single-use plastics but Floridians clearly support having those decisions made at the local level,” Neely said.
Calls for investing in long-term conservation efforts, including reforestation, land purchases (specifically the Florida Wildlife Corridor), investments in preserving natural ecosystems and protecting endangered species were supported by nearly 90% of Floridians including more than 80% of Republicans.
“In general, we value the health of ourselves and the life of our planet,” Todd said. “Destroy our mutual home – our environment – and we are all affected. The majority of people do understand that, and support environmental stewardship regardless of political affiliation.”
For a full copy of the survey, visit https://www.usf.edu/arts-sciences/departments/public-affairs/documents/news-items/spa-policy-conservation-survey-results-2021.pdf