change in the American mind: March, 2016

The March 2016 survey indicates that 70% of Americans believe global warming is happening, with an increase in the proportion of people who are 'very worried' and perceive it as a current or future threat to themselves and others. While 53% attribute global warming to human causes, only 11% are aware of the scientific consensus. There is broad support for greenhouse gas emission reductions in the U.S. and for teaching children about global warming, though confidence in the U.S. Congress's ability to pass necessary legislation remains low at 37%.

• Public belief that global warming is occurring has risen to 70%, an increase of seven percent since spring 2015, nearly reaching the peak of 71% recorded since November 2008.
• Worry regarding global warming is increasing, with 58% of Americans feeling at least 'somewhat worried,' driven by a five percent increase in those who are 'very worried' since spring 2015.
• Americans increasingly perceive global warming as a threat, with higher percentages believing it will harm people in developing countries (63%), people in the U.S. (59%), future generations (70%), and themselves (41%). Additionally, 38% believe people in the U.S. are being harmed 'right now,' a record high since 2008.
• There is a significant gap between public perception and scientific consensus: only 11% of Americans understand that over 90% of climate scientists are convinced that human-caused global warming is happening.
• A majority of Americans (61%) believe the U.S. should reduce its greenhouse gas emissions regardless of other countries' actions, and 76% support teaching children about global warming in schools.
• Confidence in political efficacy is low, with only 37% of Americans believing the public can convince the U.S. Congress to pass the legislation required to reduce global warming.

APA

Team, M. 4. (2016). change in the American mind: March, 2016. Center for Climate Change Communication. https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/all/ccammarch2016/

Chicago

Team, Mason 4C. change in the American mind: March, 2016. Center for Climate Change Communication, 2016. https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/all/ccammarch2016/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Team |first1=Mason 4C |title=change in the American mind: March, 2016 |publisher=Center for Climate Change Communication |date=2 June 2016 |url=https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/all/ccammarch2016/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{team2016change, author = {Team, Mason 4C}, title = {{change in the American mind: March, 2016}}, institution = {Center for Climate Change Communication}, year = {2016}, month = jun, url = {https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/all/ccammarch2016/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }