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.
Our Climate Change in the American Mind Work
Politics and Global Warming: April 2014
Most registered voters are 2.5 times more likely to vote for a congressional or presidential candidate who supports action to reduce global warming. Further, registered voters are 3 times more likely to vote against a candidate who opposes action to reduce global...
Climate Change in the American Mind: April 2014
This report summarizes the beliefs and attitudes findings from our April 2014 survey. Findings include that most American adults – by more than a three-to-one margin – think global warming is happening than think it is not. Download Report Executive Summary A majority...
Climate Change in the American Mind: Americans’ Global Warming Beliefs and Attitudes in November 2013
This Climate Change in the American Mind survey found that 1 in 4 Americans think that global warming is not happening, and half say they are “worried” about it. Other highlights include: There has been an increase in the proportion of Americans who believe global...
Climate Change in the American Mind: Americans’ Global Warming Beliefs and Attitudes in April 2013
Nearly two in three Americans (63%) believe global warming is happening. Relatively few – only 16 percent – believe it is not. However, since Fall 2012, the percentage of Americans who believe global warming is happening has dropped 7 points to 63%, likely influenced...
Extreme Weather and Climate Change in the American Mind: November 2013
Six in ten Americans (59%) say weather in the U.S. has been worse over the past several years, down 5 percentage points since Spring 2013. Majorities of Americans in all regions of the country say weather in the U.S. has been worse over the past several years. This is...
Extreme Weather and Climate Change in the American Mind: April 2013
This report assesses Americans perceptions and beliefs on extreme weather and climate change, including their personal experiences, observations, and extreme weather preparedness. Download Report Executive Summary About six in ten Americans (58%) say “global warming...
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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