Climate Change in the American Mind

The report finds that while a majority of Americans believe global warming is happening and is human-caused, there is a significant gap in understanding the scientific consensus. Public worry and perceived personal and national risks have increased since spring 2015, though optimism about the ability to successfully reduce global warming is declining. The report also highlights 'The Francis Effect,' noting that Pope Francis's teachings have increased the likelihood of Catholics viewing climate change as a moral, social justice, and poverty issue.

• A majority of Americans believe global warming is occurring, with 67% stating it is happening compared to 16% who believe it is not. Among those who believe it is happening, 53% attribute it mostly to human activities, while 33% believe it is due to natural environmental changes.
• There is a stark disconnect between public perception and scientific consensus; only approximately 10% of Americans are aware that over 90% of climate scientists are convinced that human-caused global warming is happening.
• Public concern and perceived risks have risen since spring 2015. While only 16% are 'very worried,' 57% are at least 'somewhat worried.' Perceived harm has increased for the individual (42%, +6 points), the U.S. (56%, +7 points), developing countries (61%, +9 points), and future generations (70%, +7 points).
• Americans express growing pessimism regarding the successful mitigation of climate change. Only 4% believe humans can and will successfully reduce global warming, while 18% believe humans cannot reduce it even if it is happening, and 26% believe the lack of willingness to change behavior will prevent success.
• There is strong public support for increased action from various sectors. At least two-thirds of Americans believe corporations and industry (72%), citizens (67%), and the United States (64%) should do more. Additionally, 62% believe the U.S. should reduce greenhouse gas emissions regardless of other countries' actions.
• The 'Francis Effect' describes the influence of Pope Francis's teachings on American Catholics. Catholics are more likely than non-Catholics to trust the Pope as an information source (77% vs 56%) and are more likely to view global warming as a moral issue (46% vs 36% in spring 2015), a social justice issue (33% vs 23%), and a poverty issue (29% vs 22%).

APA

Yale Program on Climate Change Communication (2015). Climate Change in the American Mind. https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/app/uploads/2015/11/Climate-Change-American-Mind-October-20151.pdf

Chicago

Yale Program on Climate Change Communication. Climate Change in the American Mind. 2015. https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/app/uploads/2015/11/Climate-Change-American-Mind-October-20151.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Yale Program on Climate Change Communication |title=Climate Change in the American Mind |date=October 2015 |url=https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/app/uploads/2015/11/Climate-Change-American-Mind-October-20151.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{yaleprogramonclimatechangecommunication2015climate, author = {{Yale Program on Climate Change Communication}}, title = {{Climate Change in the American Mind}}, institution = {Yale Program on Climate Change Communication}, year = {2015}, month = oct, url = {https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/app/uploads/2015/11/Climate-Change-American-Mind-October-20151.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }