(iPoster) Public Opinion, Agenda-Setting, and Representation in State Climate Policy

• In Event: Poster Session: Science, Technology, and Environmental Politics

Abstract

Does public support for climate action translate into state climate policies across the U.S. states? Representation literature argues that state policies respond to public opinions since voters support candidates with whom they share interests, and that the incumbents consider public opinions to maximize their re-electoral prospects. This study theorizes that public opinion over climate change influences how likely the climate policies appear on the state legislative agenda. Using a panel dataset on U.S. state legislative policies on climate change, the study shows the legislative responsiveness between state climate policies to public climate opinion. The study further shows that the extent of legislative responsiveness is influenced by the accountability of the electoral institution, political engagement of the citizens, and personal experience of climate change impacts. In addition, partisan composition of legislative chambers has the strongest effect on the number of bills that eventually pass through the state legislatures. A bill cannot move forward in state legislatures unless it manages the partisan conflict, possibly by demonstrating the severity of climate change impacts. State legislatures are likely responsive to public opinions over particular climate policy substances. This study disentangles the dynamics of democratic representation on climate policymaking and identifies potential mechanisms to help align public opinion with state climate policies, advancing democratic climate governance.

Author

• Zixin (Finnie) Zhao, Duke University