MEET GLOBAL WARMING'S SIX AMERICAS STUDENT PAGE

The document outlines the 'Global Warming’s Six Americas' framework developed by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication. It categorizes the American public into six groups based on their beliefs regarding the causes, urgency, and impacts of climate change, while offering specific messaging strategies to effectively engage each segment.

• The 'Alarmed' group views climate change as a "very serious threat to themselves, their families, and their community" and believes people are already being harmed or will be within 10 years. Effective communication for this group should include "clear suggestions about how they can be a part of the solution" and messages regarding dangers to "future generations" and other nations.
• The 'Concerned' group agrees that global warming is human-caused and that scientists agree on the phenomenon, but they are "Less worried than the Alarmed" and view it as a threat more for "future generations and other species." Communication strategies for this group should emphasize "strong scientific agreement" and "human causes of climate change."
• The 'Cautious' group is less likely to believe climate change is happening or human-caused, with only half believing in scientific consensus. They view it as a "distant threat" and are only "somewhat supportive" of emission-reduction policies. Effective messaging should focus on "strong scientific agreement" and "local and current impacts."
• The 'Disengaged' group has given climate change "little to no thought" and does not see it as relevant. They are unlikely to recognize the benefits or drawbacks of taking action. Communication for this group should come from a "trusted source" and highlight the "economic benefits of renewable energy."
• The 'Skeptical' group is unlikely to believe climate change is happening or human-caused, viewing it as a threat that will not harm people for "50-100 years." They generally oppose gas taxes and U.S. participation in international treaties. Effective strategies include focusing on the "Growth of new American industries" and "Moving away from dependence on foreign oil."
• The 'Dismissive' group does not believe climate change is happening or human-caused and believes that "scientists disagree" on the issue. They strongly oppose policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and international climate treaties.

APA

Yale Program on Climate Change Communication (n.d.). MEET GLOBAL WARMING'S SIX AMERICAS STUDENT PAGE. https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/app/uploads/2021/02/Meet-GWSA-Student-Page_2026.pdf

Chicago

Yale Program on Climate Change Communication. MEET GLOBAL WARMING'S SIX AMERICAS STUDENT PAGE. n.d. https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/app/uploads/2021/02/Meet-GWSA-Student-Page_2026.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Yale Program on Climate Change Communication |title=MEET GLOBAL WARMING'S SIX AMERICAS STUDENT PAGE |url=https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/app/uploads/2021/02/Meet-GWSA-Student-Page_2026.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{yaleprogramonclimatechangecommunicationndmeet, author = {{Yale Program on Climate Change Communication}}, title = {{MEET GLOBAL WARMING'S SIX AMERICAS STUDENT PAGE}}, institution = {Yale Program on Climate Change Communication}, url = {https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/app/uploads/2021/02/Meet-GWSA-Student-Page_2026.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }