climate change in the american mind

The April 2019 'Climate Change in the American Mind' report reveals that 69% of Americans believe global warming is happening, with 55% attributing it primarily to human activities. While 62% express worry about the issue and 60% believe it is affecting U.S. weather, social engagement remains low, as 63% rarely or never discuss it with family and friends. The report also highlights a significant gap in understanding scientific consensus, with only 17% aware that over 90% of climate scientists agree on human-caused warming.

• A majority of Americans believe global warming is occurring and is primarily caused by humans, though certainty varies. Specifically, 69% think it is happening, and 55% believe it is mostly human-caused.
• There is a substantial gap between the actual scientific consensus on climate change and public perception of that consensus. While 53% of Americans know most scientists believe global warming is happening, only 17% realize that more than 90% of climate scientists hold this view.
• Emotional concern is prevalent, with 62% of Americans reporting they are at least 'somewhat worried' about global warming, and 23% stating they are 'very worried.'
• Americans perceive global warming as a threat to others more than to themselves. While 44% believe they will be personally harmed, higher percentages expect harm to plant and animal species (71%), future generations (69%), the world's poor (64%), and people in developing countries (64%).
• Personal and social engagement with the topic is low; 63% of Americans rarely or never discuss global warming with friends and family, and only 23% hear people they know talking about it at least once a month.
• Public perception of social norms for climate action is weak. Only 45% believe it is moderately to extremely important to their family and friends that they take action, and 41% believe their social circle makes a moderate to great effort to reduce global warming.
• Americans conceptualize global warming across various dimensions, most strongly as an environmental (75%) and scientific (69%) issue, followed by severe weather (64%) and agricultural (63%) issues. It is least commonly viewed as a religious issue (9%).
• There is a strong link between global warming and perceived local weather impacts in the U.S. 60% of Americans believe global warming is affecting U.S. weather, and majorities are worried about local extreme heat (69%), droughts (64%), flooding (60%), and water shortages (59%).
• Efficacy beliefs are mixed: while 64% disagree that it is too late to act, 40% believe an individual's actions make no difference. Additionally, 49% believe new technologies can solve the problem without requiring significant lifestyle changes.

APA

Center for Climate Change Communication (2019). climate change in the american mind. https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Climate_Change_American_Mind_April_2019b.pdf

Chicago

Center for Climate Change Communication. climate change in the american mind. 2019. https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Climate_Change_American_Mind_April_2019b.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Center for Climate Change Communication |title=climate change in the american mind |date=April 2019 |url=https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Climate_Change_American_Mind_April_2019b.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centerforclimatechangecommunication2019climate, author = {{Center for Climate Change Communication}}, title = {{climate change in the american mind}}, institution = {Center for Climate Change Communication}, year = {2019}, month = apr, url = {https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Climate_Change_American_Mind_April_2019b.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }