Data for Climate Progress — New IPCC Report, Same Vibes *cries* — 03.11.22
Policy
Introducing the Data for Progress Jobs Model *drumroll pls*
Our new memo by Matt Mazewski explains how the Data for Progress Jobs Model works and provides a basic outline of our methodology as well as the results of a “backcasting” exercise in which we use our model to analyze the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.
USICA Creates Jobs
Our new memo makes use of the Data for Progress Jobs Model to conduct a macroeconomic analysis of the bipartisan U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (USICA). In this memo, Matt Mazewskiand Christian Flores detail how USICA would preserve or create a projected 2.6 to 3 million jobs. The legislation would also add a projected $44B to $51B per year to U.S. GDP from 2022 through 2027.
Industrial Policy 101
Industrial policy (IP) — the government intervening in markets to promote particular industries and economic goals — has garnered bipartisan interest in the face of climate change and the coronavirus pandemic. Read our latest memo on the rise of IP here.
In Light of Alarming New IPCC Report, Voters Are Ready for Government Action
A new blog by DFP’s Senior Resident Fellow Celina Scott-Buechler details the new IPCC report and argues that it’s not too late to act on climate.
According to our new polling, an overwhelming majority (81 percent) of voters, including 89 percent of Democrats, 83 percent of Independents, and 73 percent of Republicans, said they would support government investments to increase the climate resilience of our buildings, roads, bridges, and other structures.
Corporate Crackdown Series
ICYMI: The third installment of our Corporate Crackdown Project series, “Commerce and Transportation” memo documents how the Departments of Commerce and Transportation can play a vital role in combating rising inflation and the supply chain crisis. The memo includes polling that shows wide support for utilizing these two departments to respond to supply chain breakdown and the associated economic fallout.
Texas' Grid Resiliency in a Changing Climate
A recent memo by Julia Jeanty details the events leading up to the 2021 Texas power outages, which were a result of governance failures, corporate greed, and an unwillingness to recognize the ever-pressing need to climatize — not weatherize — our energy infrastructure.
Polling
Messaging about energy cost savings increases support for investments in clean energy
Our latest memo with Climate Power finds that messaging about cost savings increases support for a plan to help America transition toward clean energy.
With messaging about lowering costs, the margin of support for the clean energy plan increases anywhere from +10 to +24 points.
Read the full analysis here.
Voters Want the Future of Clean Energy Innovation to be Made in America
Recently passed by the House, our polling finds that the America COMPETES Act enjoys widespread bipartisan support.
Among the most popular provisions are investing in R&D for clean energy (75 percent support) and expanding pathways for women and minorities in STEM (74 percent support).
Voters Support Federal Investments to Reduce Pollution From the Manufacturing Sector
Industrial manufacturing processes significantly contribute to climate change, and voters widely support federal investments to reduce emissions from these hard-to-abate sectors.
Our recent polling shows that voters support federal investments to reduce pollution from concrete and steel production by a +49 point margin. More here.
Voters Don't Want Retirement Funds Invested in Oil and Gas — Especially Not Their Own
By a +29-point margin, voters don’t want their own retirement account (e.g. their 401(k), IRA, or pension fund) invested in oil and gas companies. Read the analysis by Jason Katz Brown and Andrew Behar here.
Cross-Cutting Issues
Last week’s State of the Union address was rife with discussion surrounding hot button political topics like inflation, rising gas prices, and the war being waged in Ukraine. One topic was notably neglected, however: eliminating student debt. As Rep. Mondaire Jones wrote for our blog, eliminating student debt is not only good policy — it’s good politics. Our polling shows that a majority of voters support canceling all or some student loan debt. 25 percent agree that all student loan debt should be eliminated while an additional 38 percent say some student loan debt should be eliminated.
Inflation and rising prices at the pump are top of mind for voters and electeds everywhere. Democrats must prioritize policy solutions that tackle rising costs. A new analysis from Amanda Novello finds the care economy components of the Build Back Better agenda would lower costs for American families, providing necessary relief at a time when inflation is at its highest rate in 40 years. Read more here.
We’re Hiring
We are hiring for our DFP Emerging Voices Program! Emerging Voices participants will spend two months collaborating with our team to conduct research on their own projects. This is a paid, part-time program.
DFP is also hiring a Polling Analyst to help us conduct cutting-edge survey research that empowers progressive movements.
We’re also looking for a Press Assistant, you would draft press releases, polling and policy memos, and content for our social media. Details on our website!
For information on additional job openings, click here.
Media Hits
Gotham Gazette (Julia authored)
NBC (Marcela quoted)
KCP (Marcela quoted)
Public News Service (Marcela quoted)
Daily Kos (DFP mentioned)
The American Prospect (DFP mentioned)
E&E (DFP mentioned)
Meme