A recent poll conducted by Scott Rasmussen for the Committee to Unleash Prosperity suggests that a significant majority of Ivy League graduates hold views divergent from the general public on environmental policies. The survey, released in January 2024, indicates that over two-thirds of Ivy League alumni would support bans on private air conditioning, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), and non-essential air travel. Furthermore, the findings show that approximately four-fifths of these graduates favor prohibiting internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and gas stoves. These proposals are primarily framed within the context of combating climate change.
The study, titled "Them vs. U.S.: The Two Americas and How the Nation's Elite Is Out of Touch with Average Americans," surveyed 1,000 "elites" in September 2023. For the purpose of the poll, "elites" were defined as individuals with at least one postgraduate degree, an annual income exceeding $150,000, and residency in high-density urban areas. A sub-sample specifically included graduates from Ivy League institutions and other highly selective private schools such as Duke, Northwestern, and Stanford. This methodology aimed to capture the perspectives of a culturally influential segment of the population.
According to the poll results, 68% of Ivy League graduates support banning private air conditioning, 66% favor banning SUVs, and 70% advocate for prohibiting non-essential air travel. The support is even higher for banning gas stoves at 80% and gasoline-powered cars at 81% among this group. In stark contrast, the report highlights that only a small fraction of average Americans support such measures, underscoring a significant "Grand Canyon gap" in viewpoints. This disparity suggests a profound disconnect between the elite and the broader populace on environmental regulations.
The Committee to Unleash Prosperity, an advocacy group led by figures like Steve Forbes and Stephen Moore, commissioned the poll to illuminate the policy preferences of America's cultural elite. The findings suggest that climate change is a central concern for this demographic, leading to support for measures that would significantly alter daily life for many. The report also noted that a majority of elites, including 55% of Ivy League graduates, believe the U.S. provides "too much individual freedom." This perspective further illustrates the ideological divide identified by the survey, which posits that this influential group's views are often out of step with the broader American public. The report concludes that such discrepancies highlight a potential for friction in policy implementation and societal priorities.