Keywords: climate, environment, youth, deliberative polling

This paper explores the diverse perspectives on climate policy among first-time voters who participated in America in One Room: The Youth Vote. The paper highlights broad support for comprehensive climate action, energy independence, and environmental protections. Notably, participants demonstrated a strong commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, with a steady two-thirds agreement before and after deliberation. Support for increased government investment in clean energy technologies and battery storage rose to 80%, while new-generation nuclear energy achieved an 81% approval rate. Financial incentives for carbon capture were also widely supported, with 63% of participants in favor. Energy independence emerged as a key priority, with overall support growing from 62% to 76%, cutting across party lines: Republicans increased from 62% to 79%, Independents from 63% to 77%, and Democrats from 62% to 75%. A related proposal for the U.S. to become a net energy exporter gained traction, rising from 42% to 64%, with men showing the largest increase in support (55% to 79%) and women’s support rising from 30% to 50%. These findings underscore bipartisan enthusiasm for balancing energy self-reliance with environmental goals.

Participants also advocated for stricter environmental protections. Opposition to waiving environmental review requirements for energy projects rose from 55% to 64%, fueled by increased Republican opposition (48% to 54%) and strong Democratic resistance (68%). Similarly, opposition to Arctic drilling increased from 72% to 76%, with Republicans registering a notable 13-point increase. Proposals regulating fast fashion, such as banning wasteful practices, saw moderate support at 58%, with approval growing across all demographics.

However, some initiatives struggled to gain majority support. Opposition to banning the sale of new gas and diesel vehicles by 2035 increased significantly, from 45% to 59%, with women’s opposition jumping from 28% to 51%, narrowing the gap with men, who opposed the ban at 66%. Similarly, restricting new buildings and appliances to electricity-only energy use garnered only 44% support. Measures perceived as overly restrictive, like mandatory vegan days in schools and workplaces, faced widespread rejection, with 78% opposing the idea. Educational campaigns to reduce meat and dairy consumption, aimed at curbing methane emissions, received modest support at 45%.

These results reveal a nuanced approach to energy and environmental policy among first-time voters. Participants showed robust backing for large-scale initiatives such as clean energy investments, nuclear energy, and carbon capture while opposing policies that imposed significant lifestyle restrictions. This paper illustrates not only the views of young people on climate but also demonstrates that deliberation can bridge political divides, fostering consensus on pragmatic and sustainable solutions.