Climate Change in the American Mind
Public opinion plays a critical role in the American response to global warming. Our twice a year Climate Change in the American Mind nationally representative surveys investigate, track, and explain public climate change knowledge, risk perceptions, policy support and behavior.
Our findings are published in numerous reports and peer-reviewed articles and are cited by leading news organizations, academic journals, and online media around the world. Conducted with our partners at the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, it is the largest and most comprehensive resource on American public opinion about climate change.
Beliefs and Attitudes Reports
Politics and Policy Reports
Climate Notes
Climate Notes are short articles that interpret and analyze the research produced by our Climate Change in the American Mind research reports.
The attitude-behavior gap on climate action: How can it be bridged?
Support for climate justice across Global Warming’s Six Americas
How many Americans want an electric home?
Our Climate Change in the American Mind Work
Climate Change in the American Mind: March 2016
Since spring 2015, the number of Americans who think global warming is happening has increased by seven percent. 70% now say it’s happening. Worry about global warming is also on the rise, with a larger majority (now at 58%) saying they are “somewhat” or “very”...
Politics & Global Warming: Spring 2016
Increasing numbers of American voters think global warming is happening, and many say the issue will influence how they vote in November, according to our national survey conducted in March of 2016. Download Report Key Findings This report reveals how registered...
Politics and Global Warming: Fall 2015
This report focuses on how Americans (registered voters) across the political spectrum–Democrats, Independents, and Republicans and liberals, moderates, and conservatives–view global warming and how they think citizens and government should address it. Consistent with...
Climate Change in the American Mind: October 2015
This report details results from our latest national survey about global warming beliefs, risk perceptions, conversations, perceived ethical dimensions, and the impact of Pope Francis on American views of global warming. Since spring 2015, the number of Americans who...
Climate Change in the American Mind: March 2015
Nearly two-thirds of the American public (63%) currently think global warming is happening, a percentage that has remained relatively stable over the past five years. Similarly, the percentage of the public who think that if global warming is happening, it is mostly...
Climate Change in the American Christian Mind: March 2015
Many Americans draw, at least in part, upon their religious beliefs to guide their understanding and interpretation of climate change causes, impacts, and solutions. This report examines the global warming beliefs, risk perceptions, policy preferences, and related...
Explore Our Data
Whether you’re a researcher, journalist, policymaker, educator, advocate, or simply curious about public opinion on climate change, our interactive tools make it easy to explore how Americans’ beliefs, risk perceptions, policy preferences, and behaviors have evolved over time. Dive into nationally representative data, compare trends across demographic and political groups, and uncover insights to inform research, communication, and decision-making.
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