Climate Change in the American Mind

The September 2021 report 'Climate Change in the American Mind' provides a comprehensive data set tracking US public opinion on global warming. Key findings include a rise in the percentage of Americans who believe global warming is happening (76% in September 2021) and an increase in those who are 'Very worried' about it (35%). The data also shows a growing consensus that global warming is caused by human activities (60%) and is affecting US weather (70%), specifically impacting wildfires (50% 'A lot') and extreme heat (49% 'A lot').

• Public belief that global warming is occurring has increased over time, with 76% of Americans answering 'Yes' in September 2021, compared to 71% in November 2008.
• Concern regarding global warming has intensified, with 35% of respondents reporting they are 'Very worried' in September 2021, up from 16% in November 2008.
• A majority of Americans now attribute global warming to human influence, with 60% stating it is 'Caused mostly by human activities' in September 2021.
• There is a strong perception that global warming is actively affecting US weather, with 70% of respondents agreeing in September 2021.
• Among specific weather impacts in the US, wildfires are perceived as being most affected by global warming, with 50% of respondents answering 'A lot' in September 2021.
• Americans increasingly view global warming as a humanitarian issue, with 60% agreeing in September 2021.
• A significant portion of the population believes global warming will harm the world's poor 'A great deal', with 55% agreeing in September 2021.
• Public perception of scientific consensus has grown, with 59% believing 'Most scientists think global warming is happening' in September 2021, compared to 46% in November 2008.
• A majority of respondents (69%) disagree that it is too late to act on global warming, with 41% 'Strongly disagree' and 26% 'Somewhat disagree' in September 2021.

APA

Center for Climate Change Communication (2021). Climate Change in the American Mind. https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/climate-change-american-mind-september-2021.pdf

Chicago

Center for Climate Change Communication. Climate Change in the American Mind. 2021. https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/climate-change-american-mind-september-2021.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Center for Climate Change Communication |title=Climate Change in the American Mind |date=September 2021 |url=https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/climate-change-american-mind-september-2021.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centerforclimatechangecommunication2021climate, author = {{Center for Climate Change Communication}}, title = {{Climate Change in the American Mind}}, institution = {Center for Climate Change Communication}, year = {2021}, month = sep, url = {https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/climate-change-american-mind-september-2021.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }