Impact

Turning Insights Into Action

Since 2007, Mason 4C has advanced the science and practice of climate change communication by combining rigorous social science research with real-world application. We partner with trusted voices — from journalists and weathercasters to physicians, educators, and community leaders — to help people better understand climate change and build support for equitable climate solutions.

As a “think-and-do tank,” our work doesn’t end with research. We translate evidence into practical tools, partnerships, and programs that improve how climate change is communicated around the world.

2007

Mason 4C Founded
For nearly two decades, Mason 4C has combined social science research with real-world programs to activate trusted voices, increase public understanding, and build support for climate solutions.

15+ years

Climate Change in the American Mind
A collaboration with the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, CCAM is one of the nation’s longest-running public opinion studies tracking how Americans understand climate change.

1 million+

Health Professionals Represented
Through the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health, Mason 4C engages medical societies representing over a million health professionals.

1,100+

Weathercasters & Journalists Supported
The Climate Matters program provides localized reporting resources that help trusted communicators reach tens of millions of Americans every year.

From Local Voices to Global Change

Climate communication at every scale.

Mason 4C turns climate communication research into impact at every scale. Close to home, we uncover what Americans think and believe, equip local journalists and other trusted voices to connect climate change to their communities, and bring people together across political and professional divides.

That impact extends far beyond the communities where it begins. Mason 4C research and expertise inform climate and health communication around the world, support international partners, and contribute evidence that helps shape global conversations and multilateral action on climate change.

From understanding one community to informing decisions on the world stage, our work helps make climate communication more effective wherever change happens.

Community

Working through trusted voices and relationships

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Equipping trusted messengers to communicate climate risks and solutions

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Engaging health professionals as climate communicators and advocates

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Building communication resources around the needs of specific audiences

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Understanding how people experience and respond to climate change

Local

Making climate change relevant where people live

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Providing localized climate reporting resources to journalists and weathercasters

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Connecting climate change to impacts people experience in their own communities

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Supporting place-based climate resilience and decision-making

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Helping local trusted voices turn climate science into useful, relevant information

National

Understanding and shaping the U.S. climate conversation

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Tracking Americans’ climate beliefs, attitudes, and policy preferences

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Providing nationally representative insights used by researchers, media and decision-makers

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Mobilizing health professionals and medical societies across the country

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Engaging Americans and elected officials across the political spectrum

Global

Advancing climate communication worldwide

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Leading climate and health research across countries and regions

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Developing global communication resources with the World Health Organization and international partners

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Studying climate communication across diverse countries, languages, and contexts

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Producing evidence to inform international climate and health policy and advocacy

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For nearly two decades, Mason 4C has shown that research creates its greatest impact when it reaches beyond academia. By working alongside trusted voices and partners, we help turn evidence into understanding and understanding into meaningful action.

John Kotcher
Director of the Center for Climate Change Communication at George Mason University

 

Building the Field

2007–2011
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2007–2011

Building the Foundation

Mason 4C is established at George Mason University with a mission to advance climate change communication through rigorous social science research.

Highlights:

  • Center founded
  • Climate Change in the American Mind begins
  • Early research establishes foundations for the growing field
2012–2019
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2012–2019

Turning Research into Action

The Center expands beyond research by developing programs that help trusted messengers communicate climate change more effectively.

Highlights:

  • Climate Matters grows nationally

  • Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health launches

  • Partnerships expand across journalism, public health, education, and policy

2020–Today
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2020–Today

Scaling Impact

Mason 4C continues growing its research portfolio while strengthening collaborations that translate evidence into practical communication strategies around the world.

Highlights:

  • Expanded interdisciplinary research

  • New partnerships and initiatives

  • Continued leadership in climate communication research and practice

  • Leadership transition to Director John Kotcher, building on the Center’s foundation

Help Shape What’s Next

Climate communication is most effective when research, partnerships, and practice come together. Whether you’re looking to collaborate on research, support our work, or bring evidence-based communication to your organization, we’d love to work with you.

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