This is the first in a sequence of four posts taken from my recent report: Why Did Environmentalism Become Partisan?

In the United States, environmentalism is extremely partisan.

It might feel like this was inevitable. Caring about the environment, and supporting government action to protect the environment, might seem like they are inherently left-leaning. Partisanship has increased for many issues, so it might not be surprising that environmentalism became partisan too.

Looking at the public opinion polls more closely makes it more surprising. Environmentalism in the United States is unusually partisan, compared to other issues, compared to other countries, and compared to the United States itself at other times.

The partisanship of environmentalism was not inevitable.

Compared to Other Issues

Environmentalism is one of the, if not the, most partisan issues in the US.

The most recent data demonstrating this [...]

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Outline:

(01:02) Compared to Other Issues

(03:56) Compared to Other Countries

(05:30) Compared to Other Times

(07:53) Conclusion

The original text contained 11 footnotes which were omitted from this narration.

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Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.