Jill Hanauer, David Winkler, Lisa Grove, Melissa Chernaik & Andrew Myers collaborated on this piece. Their full bios are provided on the contributor’s page of the website.

Excerpt:

“… People move to the West and stay here because of the unique quality of life the regionsoffers. Indeed, nine in ten Interior West voters say that they “enjoy a unique
quality of life,” a characteristic that is deeply valued across all states surveyed.
Nearly as many (88 percent) say that their fellow Westerners “cherish the
outdoors.” Interestingly, analytical modeling reveals that the latter underpins
the former, in that Westerners’ perception of a unique quality of life is
enhanced by access to the outdoors, which is cherished for the solace and
centering it provides. To these Americans, the outdoors represents a combination
of physical exercise, recreation, family time without the interruptions
of technology, a place of reverence, and a way to get and stay grounded.
While climate change is not voters’ top issue—that hallowed ground is
reserved for more immediate concerns such as job creation, household costs,
and education budget cuts—Westerners’ close connection to the land means
that we see climate change as a threat to our way of life, not only from
a recreational perspective, but from an economic one. Whether voters are
ranchers, farmers, or those whose livelihood is connected to the recreation
industry, climate change has a direct impact on their financial security. As
a result, candidates now run on climate change, rather than running from it:
the new breed of western elected officials is largely willing to confront the
issue, rather than deny it, and voters in the Interior West have embraced
politicians of both parties who offer pragmatic solutions to climate change.”