This is the 40th PPIC Statewide Survey and the sixth in a series of eight surveys that will focus on population growth, land use, and the environment. This survey focuses in particular on marine and coastal issues.
Some findings of the current survey
- The vast majority (88%) of Californians say that the condition of the ocean and beaches is personally important to them, with 60% saying it is very important.
- Over half (52%) of the state’s residents believe that the quality of the ocean along the state’s shoreline has deteriorated in the past two decades.
- Three in four residents (77%) support protecting wetlands and beach/bay habitats even if it means less commercial activity near the coast.
- Half of all those surveyed (50%) favor prohibiting new off-shore oil drilling along California’s coast, even if it means higher gasoline prices.
- Nearly all Californians agree that environmental protection should be a priority for the Schwarzenegger administration. Almost one-third (32%) think it should be a top priority, while a large majority (57%) say it should be an important priority.