Climate Change in the American Mind

The June 2010 survey of 1,024 American adults reveals a strong public preference for developing clean energy and protecting the environment over economic growth. While a majority support regulating carbon dioxide and funding renewable energy research, there is significant political polarization regarding international treaties and gasoline taxes. The data shows that 65% of respondents believe the U.S. should reduce greenhouse gas emissions regardless of other countries' actions, and 56% believe environmental protection improves economic growth.

• A majority of Americans believe the United States should reduce its greenhouse gas emissions independently of the actions of other nations, with 65% stating the U.S. should do so "Regardless of what other countries do".
• Public priority for developing clean energy is higher than for global warming generally; in June 2010, 71% of respondents viewed clean energy as a "High" or "Very high" priority, compared to 44% for global warming.
• There is strong support for specific climate policies, including regulating carbon dioxide as a pollutant (77% support) and funding research into renewable energy sources like solar and wind power (87% support).
• Public perception of the relationship between the environment and the economy is generally positive, with 56% of respondents stating that protecting the environment "Improves economic growth and provides new jobs".
• When forced to choose between environmental protection and economic growth, 65% of respondents prioritize "Protecting the environment, even if it reduces economic growth".
• Support for increasing gasoline taxes by 25 cents per gallon is low, with only 35% in support and 65% opposing the measure.
• Public opinion is sharply divided by political party; for example, 79% of Democrats believe protecting the environment is more important than economic growth, compared to 37% of Republicans.

APA

Leiserowitz, A., Maibach, E., Roser-Renouf, C., & Smith, N. (2010). Climate Change in the American Mind. Center for Climate Change Communication. https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/June-2010-Public-Support-for-Climate-and-Energy.pdf

Chicago

Leiserowitz, Anthony, Edward Maibach, Connie Roser-Renouf, and Nicholas Smith. Climate Change in the American Mind. Center for Climate Change Communication, 2010. https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/June-2010-Public-Support-for-Climate-and-Energy.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Leiserowitz |first1=Anthony |last2=Maibach |first2=Edward |last3=Roser-Renouf |first3=Connie |last4=Smith |first4=Nicholas |title=Climate Change in the American Mind |publisher=Center for Climate Change Communication |date=2010 |url=https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/June-2010-Public-Support-for-Climate-and-Energy.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{leiserowitz2010climate, author = {Leiserowitz, Anthony and Maibach, Edward and Roser-Renouf, Connie and Smith, Nicholas}, title = {{Climate Change in the American Mind}}, institution = {Center for Climate Change Communication}, year = {2010}, url = {https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/June-2010-Public-Support-for-Climate-and-Energy.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }