Climate Change in the American Mind

The report finds that majorities of Americans prioritize global warming and clean energy, supporting policies such as renewable energy research, carbon dioxide regulation, and a revenue-neutral tax shift from income to fossil fuels. While there is broad support for environmental protection over economic growth, significant political divisions exist regarding offshore drilling and the Keystone XL pipeline.

• A large majority of Americans view global warming and clean energy as priorities for the president and Congress, with 72% prioritizing global warming and 92% prioritizing the development of clean energy sources.
• Americans generally believe environmental protection is compatible with or preferable to economic growth; 83% state it either improves growth and jobs or has no effect, and 62% prioritize the environment over economic growth when a conflict exists.
• There is broad public support for several specific climate and energy policies: 79% support more renewable energy research, 76% support tax rebates for fuel-efficient vehicles or solar panels, and 75% support regulating carbon dioxide as a pollutant.
• Public opinion on energy infrastructure is divided: 62% support expanded offshore drilling for oil and natural gas, and 69% of those who have heard of the Keystone XL pipeline support its construction.
• Support for nuclear power has declined significantly, dropping from 61% in 2008 to 42% in March 2012, which the report attributes to the Fukushima nuclear accident.
• A majority of Americans (61%) indicate they would be more likely to vote for a political candidate who supports a "revenue neutral" tax shift that increases taxes on fossil fuels while reducing federal income tax by an equal amount.
• Global warming is a significant factor in presidential voting intentions, with 55% of Americans stating it will be either the single most important or one of several important issues in determining their vote.

APA

Leiserowitz, A., Maibach, E., Roser-Renouf, C., & Hmielowski, J. D. (2012). Climate Change in the American Mind. Center for Climate Change Communication. https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/March-2012-Public-Support-For-Climate-and-Energy-Polices.pdf

Chicago

Leiserowitz, Anthony, Edward Maibach, Connie Roser-Renouf, and Jay D. Hmielowski. Climate Change in the American Mind. Center for Climate Change Communication, 2012. https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/March-2012-Public-Support-For-Climate-and-Energy-Polices.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Leiserowitz |first1=Anthony |last2=Maibach |first2=Edward |last3=Roser-Renouf |first3=Connie |last4=Hmielowski |first4=Jay D. |title=Climate Change in the American Mind |publisher=Center for Climate Change Communication |date=2012 |url=https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/March-2012-Public-Support-For-Climate-and-Energy-Polices.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{leiserowitz2012climate, author = {Leiserowitz, Anthony and Maibach, Edward and Roser-Renouf, Connie and Hmielowski, Jay D.}, title = {{Climate Change in the American Mind}}, institution = {Center for Climate Change Communication}, year = {2012}, url = {https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/March-2012-Public-Support-For-Climate-and-Energy-Polices.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }