The attitude-behavior gap on climate action: How can it be bridged?

The report analyzes data from 6,190 U.S. adults (2021-2023) to examine the 'attitude-behavior gap' in political climate action. It finds that while many Americans express willingness to sign petitions, donate, volunteer, or contact officials, actual engagement rates are significantly lower. The study identifies that 'Definitely willing and active' individuals are more likely to discuss climate change, perceive supportive social norms, and hold stronger collective efficacy beliefs. To bridge this gap, the authors recommend direct requests for involvement, simplifying the process of taking action, and amplifying pro-climate social norms.

• There is a significant gap between Americans' stated willingness to engage in political climate actions and their actual behavior over a 12-month period. For example, 51% say they would sign a petition if asked, but only 16% report doing so; 31% would donate money, but only 13% did; 29% would volunteer, but only 6% did; and 28% would contact government officials, but only 8% did.
• While those most willing to act are the most likely to do so, a gap persists even in this group. For three of the four analyzed political actions, at least half of the people who said they 'definitely' or 'probably' would engage in the behavior reported they had 'never' done it in the previous year.
• Individuals who are both 'definitely willing' and 'active' in political climate action are significantly more likely to engage in climate-related communication than those who are willing but inactive or other Americans. This includes discussing global warming with family and friends (78% vs 50% and 23%) and hearing about it in the media (71% vs 56% and 49%).
• Active participants perceive stronger social norms and higher collective efficacy. 73% of 'Definitely willing and active' individuals perceive descriptive norms (effort by family/friends to reduce warming) compared to 46% of the inactive willing group. They also show higher confidence that collective action can influence the federal government (74% vs 61% for inactive willing) and corporations (62% vs 55% for inactive willing).
• The primary barrier for registered voters regarding contacting government officials is that they have never been asked to do so. Other barriers include the belief that action would not make a difference, a lack of self-identification as an 'activist', and a lack of knowledge regarding who to contact or what to say.

APA

Ballew, M., Carman, J., Verner, M., Rosenthal, S., Maibach, E., Kotcher, J., & Leiserowitz, A. (2024). The attitude-behavior gap on climate action: How can it be bridged? Center for Climate Change Communication. https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/all/the-attitude-behavior-gap-on-climate-action-how-can-it-be-bridged/

Chicago

Ballew, M., J. Carman, M. Verner, S. Rosenthal, E. Maibach, J. Kotcher, and A. Leiserowitz. The attitude-behavior gap on climate action: How can it be bridged? Center for Climate Change Communication, 2024. https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/all/the-attitude-behavior-gap-on-climate-action-how-can-it-be-bridged/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Ballew |first1=M. |last2=Carman |first2=J. |last3=Verner |first3=M. |last4=Rosenthal |first4=S. |last5=Maibach |first5=E. |last6=Kotcher |first6=J. |last7=Leiserowitz |first7=A. |title=The attitude-behavior gap on climate action: How can it be bridged? |publisher=Center for Climate Change Communication |date=30 March 2024 |url=https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/all/the-attitude-behavior-gap-on-climate-action-how-can-it-be-bridged/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{ballew2024attitudebehavior, author = {Ballew, M. and Carman, J. and Verner, M. and Rosenthal, S. and Maibach, E. and Kotcher, J. and Leiserowitz, A.}, title = {{The attitude-behavior gap on climate action: How can it be bridged?}}, institution = {Center for Climate Change Communication}, year = {2024}, month = mar, url = {https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/all/the-attitude-behavior-gap-on-climate-action-how-can-it-be-bridged/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }