Climate Change in the American Mind: Politics and Policy

A survey of 930 registered U.S. voters shows broad support for climate action, with 58% preferring candidates who support global warming action and 68% favoring increased renewable energy use. While 67% believe global warming affects the U.S. cost of living—particularly utility bills (66%) and groceries (61%)—there is significant political divergence on the responsibility for gas prices and the priority of clean energy. Trust in information remains highest for climate scientists (71%) and family and friends (69%), while 58% of voters oppose the construction of local data centers due to concerns over electricity costs.

• A majority of registered voters prefer political candidates who support action on global warming, and many desire more frequent communication from candidates on the topic.
• There is strong bipartisan support for specific climate policies, including regulating carbon dioxide as a pollutant (77%), funding renewable energy research (78%), and requiring companies to protect workers from dangerous heat (92%).
• Registered voters increasingly link global warming to their personal cost of living, specifically citing increases in home utility bills, groceries, and vehicle operation.
• While most voters support a transition to clean energy, views on the economic impact of this transition are split; 58% believe it will lower or not affect electricity prices, while 41% believe it will increase them.
• A majority of registered voters oppose the construction of data centers in their local areas, primarily due to the belief that such facilities would increase their electricity bills.
• Public trust in climate information is highest for scientists and personal networks, while trust in AI chatbots and social media is very low.

APA

Kutz, C., Richards, E., & Hobbs, M. (2026). Climate Change in the American Mind: Politics and Policy. Center for Climate Change Communication. https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/all/climate-change-in-the-american-mind-politics-and-policy-spring-2026/

Chicago

Kutz, Cat, Emily Richards, and Michaela Hobbs. Climate Change in the American Mind: Politics and Policy. Center for Climate Change Communication, 2026. https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/all/climate-change-in-the-american-mind-politics-and-policy-spring-2026/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Kutz |first1=Cat |last2=Richards |first2=Emily |last3=Hobbs |first3=Michaela |title=Climate Change in the American Mind: Politics and Policy |publisher=Center for Climate Change Communication |date=9 June 2026 |url=https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/all/climate-change-in-the-american-mind-politics-and-policy-spring-2026/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{kutz2026climate, author = {Kutz, Cat and Richards, Emily and Hobbs, Michaela}, title = {{Climate Change in the American Mind: Politics and Policy}}, institution = {Center for Climate Change Communication}, year = {2026}, month = jun, url = {https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/all/climate-change-in-the-american-mind-politics-and-policy-spring-2026/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }