Climate Change in the American Mind

A 2008 survey of 2,164 American adults found that while the economy was the highest priority for 76% of respondents, a majority believe global warming is a real, human-caused threat. Over 90% of participants supported U.S. action to reduce global warming despite potential economic costs, and 67% supported unilateral action regardless of other countries' efforts. The most valued positive outcomes of action were providing a better life for future generations and protecting God's creation, while the primary concerns were increased government regulation and rising energy prices.

• While global warming ranked 10th out of 11 national issues, it remains a high or very high priority for a majority of Americans, with 72% stating the issue is important to them personally. In contrast, 76% of Americans identified the economy as a "very high" priority.
• There is strong public support for the United States to take action to reduce global warming and greenhouse gas emissions regardless of economic costs or the actions of other nations. Over 90% support action despite economic costs, and 67% support reducing emissions regardless of what other countries do.
• Americans perceive various positive and negative outcomes of climate action. The most cited benefits are providing a better life for children and grandchildren (66%) and saving species from extinction (65%). The primary concerns are increased government regulation (44%), rising energy prices (31%), and job loss or economic harm (17%).

APA

Team, M. 4. (2009). Climate Change in the American Mind. Center for Climate Change Communication. https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/all/climate-change-in-the-american-mind-march-2009/

Chicago

Team, Mason 4C. Climate Change in the American Mind. Center for Climate Change Communication, 2009. https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/all/climate-change-in-the-american-mind-march-2009/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Team |first1=Mason 4C |title=Climate Change in the American Mind |publisher=Center for Climate Change Communication |date=1 March 2009 |url=https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/all/climate-change-in-the-american-mind-march-2009/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{team2009climate, author = {Team, Mason 4C}, title = {{Climate Change in the American Mind}}, institution = {Center for Climate Change Communication}, year = {2009}, month = mar, url = {https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/all/climate-change-in-the-american-mind-march-2009/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }