2010-05-10-皮尤-Oil_Spill_Seen_As_Ecological_Disaster_Government,_BP_Responses_Faulted_11页_57kb

Summary of Gulf Oil Spill Public Opinion (Pew Research Center, May 2010)

• A majority of Americans (55%) viewed the May 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill as a major environmental disaster, while 37% saw it as a serious problem but not a disaster.

• Public opinion was critical of both the federal government and BP. More than half (54%) rated the government's response as only fair or poor. BP faced even harsher criticism, with 63% rating its response only fair or poor.

• President Obama's handling of the spill was approved by 38%, down from his approval for his overall job (47%). Republicans were more critical, with many believing he could have done more to address the crisis.

• Support for offshore drilling declined significantly, from 68% in April 2009 to 54%, with larger drops among Democrats and independents. The spill shifted public sentiment on energy policies, with decreased support for offshore drilling but slight declines in backing for nuclear power and alternative energy funding.

• The spill mirrored past disasters like Hurricane Katrina, with partisan divides evident: Democrats were more supportive of Obama's response, while Republicans offered harsher criticism. The spill also reinforced the view that oil spills are avoidable once energy is secured (45% disagree they are unavoidable).

• This event contributed to a lasting decline in support for offshore drilling and emphasized public distrust in corporate and government responses to energy crises.