Americans Actions to Conserve Energy, Reduce Waste, and Limit Global Warming in May 2011

The report details a decline in certain energy conservation behaviors, such as thermostat settings and walking or biking, alongside an increase in consumer activism where Americans reward companies for reducing global warming.

• Between June 2010 and May 2011, there was a decrease in specific energy conservation habits: 45 percent of Americans reported often or always setting winter thermostats to 68 degrees or cooler (an 11-point drop), and there was a reported decrease in the likelihood of walking or biking instead of driving.
• Consumer activism increased since June 2010, with 45 percent of Americans rewarding companies that take steps to reduce global warming by purchasing their products, representing a 12 percent increase. Additionally, 55 percent of Americans intend to reward or punish companies via buying or boycotting products over the following 12 months.
• Public engagement with global warming includes 18 percent volunteering or donating to relevant organizations, 13 percent posting online comments, and 10 percent contacting government officials. Among those contacting officials, 77 percent urged action while 20 percent urged against it.

APA

Leiserowitz, A., Maibach, E., Roser-Renouf, C., Smith, N., & Hmielowski, J. (2011). Americans Actions to Conserve Energy, Reduce Waste, and Limit Global Warming in May 2011. Center for Climate Change Communication. https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/all/the-climate-change-in-the-american-mind-series-november-2011-2/

Chicago

Leiserowitz, A., E. Maibach, C. Roser-Renouf, N. Smith, and J.D. Hmielowski. Americans Actions to Conserve Energy, Reduce Waste, and Limit Global Warming in May 2011. Center for Climate Change Communication, 2011. https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/all/the-climate-change-in-the-american-mind-series-november-2011-2/.

Wikipedia

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BibTeX

@techreport{leiserowitz2011americans, author = {Leiserowitz, A. and Maibach, E. and Roser-Renouf, C. and Smith, N. and Hmielowski, J.D.}, title = {{Americans Actions to Conserve Energy, Reduce Waste, and Limit Global Warming in May 2011}}, institution = {Center for Climate Change Communication}, year = {2011}, month = nov, url = {https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/all/the-climate-change-in-the-american-mind-series-november-2011-2/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }