Climate Change in the American Mind: Politics & Policy

A survey of 890 registered U.S. voters conducted in December 2024 reveals broad support for clean energy development and climate justice policies, though significant political polarization remains regarding the economic impact of the energy transition and specific regulatory measures. While majorities support the Paris Climate Agreement and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (after reading a description), collective efficacy and active political advocacy for climate action remain relatively low.

• A majority of registered voters believe that both global warming and the development of clean energy should be high or very high priorities for the U.S. president and Congress, with 54% and 63% support respectively.
• Registered voters show strong support for several carbon-reduction policies, most notably federal funding for farmers to improve soil carbon absorption (88%), renewable energy research (77%), and strict methane emission limits for oil and gas production (74%).
• There is significant public support for climate justice initiatives, including federal funding for energy efficiency in low-income buildings (77%), stricter industrial pollution enforcement in disproportionately impacted communities (76%), and job training for fossil fuel workers transitioning to renewables (75%).
• While only 36% of registered voters have heard 'a lot' or 'some' about the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA), 70% support the law after reading a brief description of its goals and investments.
• U.S. voters generally support international climate efforts, with 73% supporting participation in the Paris Climate Agreement and approximately 60% supporting financial and technical aid for developing countries for mitigation and adaptation.
• Public opinion on the economic impact of clean energy is divided: 42% believe such policies will improve economic growth and jobs, while 35% believe they will reduce growth and cost jobs.
• A majority of registered voters (71%) believe the U.S. should increase its use of renewable energy in the future, and 61% believe it should decrease its use of fossil fuels.
• Registered voters believe various entities should do more to address global warming, with the highest demand being for corporations and industry (69%), followed by President Trump (61%) and the Republican Party (61%).
• Actual political advocacy is low, with only 8% of registered voters having contacted government officials about global warming in the past year, and only 1% currently participating in a campaign to convince officials to take action.
• There is broad consensus on climate education, with 77% of registered voters agreeing that schools should teach children about the causes, consequences, and solutions to global warming.

APA

Center for Climate Change Communication (2024). Climate Change in the American Mind: Politics & Policy. https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/climate-change-american-mind-politics-policy-fall-2024.pdf

Chicago

Center for Climate Change Communication. Climate Change in the American Mind: Politics & Policy. 2024. https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/climate-change-american-mind-politics-policy-fall-2024.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Center for Climate Change Communication |title=Climate Change in the American Mind: Politics & Policy |date=2024 |url=https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/climate-change-american-mind-politics-policy-fall-2024.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centerforclimatechangecommunication2024climate, author = {{Center for Climate Change Communication}}, title = {{Climate Change in the American Mind: Politics \& Policy}}, institution = {Center for Climate Change Communication}, year = {2024}, url = {https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/climate-change-american-mind-politics-policy-fall-2024.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }