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
Climate Change in American Mind: October 2017
This report documents an upward trend in Americans’ concern about global warming, as reflected in several key indicators tracked since 2008, including substantial increases in Americans’ certainty that global warming is happening and harming people in the United...
Politics & Global Warming: May 2017
A majority of registered voters – including large majorities of liberal, moderate and conservative Democrats, Independents, and nearly half or more of liberal and moderate Republicans – want corporations and industry, citizens themselves, the U.S. Congress, President...
Climate Change in the American Mind: May 2017
This report finds that More than half of Americans believe that climate change is mostly human caused. That’s the highest level measured since our surveys began in 2008. By contrast, only 30% say it is due mostly to natural changes in the environment,...
Climate Change in the American Mind: November 2016
In the wake of a contentious U.S. election and despite the election of a president who has publicly described global warming as a hoax, Americans are increasingly sure global warming is happening, according to our latest national survey conducted after the...
Politics & Global Warming: November 2016
Against the backdrop of the incoming administration of President-elect Trump and a new Republican Congress, our latest national survey, conducted shortly after the election, finds that, across party lines, 69% of registered voters say the U.S. should participate in...
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”...
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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