Americans’ Actions to Conserve Energy, Reduce Waste, and Limit Global Warming in May 2011

The report finds a decline in certain energy conservation behaviors, such as thermostat settings and walking or biking, alongside an increase in consumer activism, with 45 percent of Americans rewarding companies that reduce global warming.

• Between June 2010 and May 2011, there was a decrease in specific energy conservation habits: 45 percent of Americans reported often or always setting winter thermostats to 68 degrees or cooler (an 11-point drop), and there was a reported decrease in the likelihood of walking or biking instead of driving.
• Consumer activism regarding global warming increased, with 45 percent of Americans buying products from companies taking steps to reduce global warming, a 12 percent increase since June 2010. Additionally, 55 percent of Americans intend to reward or punish companies via buying or boycotting in the following 12 months.
• Public engagement through volunteering, online comments, and political contact varies: 18 percent have volunteered or donated to global warming organizations, 13 percent posted online comments, and 10 percent contacted government officials. Among those contacting officials, 77 percent urged action while 20 percent urged against it.

APA

Yale Program on Climate Change Communication (2011). Americans’ Actions to Conserve Energy, Reduce Waste, and Limit Global Warming in May 2011. https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/publications/americans-actions-to-conserve-energy-may-2011/

Chicago

Yale Program on Climate Change Communication. Americans’ Actions to Conserve Energy, Reduce Waste, and Limit Global Warming in May 2011. 2011. https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/publications/americans-actions-to-conserve-energy-may-2011/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Yale Program on Climate Change Communication |title=Americans’ Actions to Conserve Energy, Reduce Waste, and Limit Global Warming in May 2011 |date=20 June 2011 |url=https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/publications/americans-actions-to-conserve-energy-may-2011/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{yaleprogramonclimatechangecommunication2011americans, author = {{Yale Program on Climate Change Communication}}, title = {{Americans’ Actions to Conserve Energy, Reduce Waste, and Limit Global Warming in May 2011}}, institution = {Yale Program on Climate Change Communication}, year = {2011}, month = jun, url = {https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/publications/americans-actions-to-conserve-energy-may-2011/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }