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A scientific national survey of 3,933 adults conducted in April 2020 reveals that a large majority of Americans prioritize public health over economic recovery and have adopted various protective behaviors. While trust in medical experts remains high, there is a significant demand for more information, and expectations for both the epidemic and the economy to worsen in the short term are prevalent.

The document distinguishes between actual conspiracies and conspiracy theories, noting that the latter are often driven by feelings of powerlessness and amplified by social media. It introduces the 'CONSPIR' acronym to identify seven traits of conspiratorial thinking and provides a toolkit for communicators, including 'prebunking' and 'debunking' strategies. The text highlights that climate change denial often employs conspiratorial rhetoric as a political strategy to delay action.

The research examines the emotional drivers of climate mobilization, finding that hope motivates engagement in climate-friendly behaviors and advocacy, while doubt and skepticism act as barriers to collective action. It suggests that communication strategies focusing on success stories and achievable goals can sustain momentum for mitigation and adaptation.

The Debunking Handbook 2020 outlines the psychological mechanisms that make misinformation 'sticky,' such as the continued influence effect and the illusory truth effect. It advocates for 'prebunking' through inoculation and provides a structured four-part framework for effective debunking: leading with facts, mentioning the myth once, explaining the fallacy, and reinforcing the fact. The guide also addresses the rarity of 'backfire effects' and emphasizes the importance of source credibility and the use of causal alternatives to replace false information.

The report finds that while education levels influence the types of questions people have about climate change and their initial perceptions of NASA, the NASA climate change website is accessible to all education levels and effectively improves perceptions of NASA's competency and trust, particularly for those with less formal education. While the website did not eliminate pre-existing knowledge gaps, it helped less-educated visitors learn more and increased their certainty regarding the reality and impacts of climate change.

A February 2020 survey of 1,934 registered voters across 26 U.S. primary states reveals strong support for government action on climate change and a preference for renewable energy over fossil fuels. A majority of respondents support the Green New Deal and specific policies such as a 100% national renewable portfolio standard by 2050. Climate change is a top-tier voting issue for Democrats in these states, and voters indicate they are more likely to support candidates who favor stronger pollution and fuel efficiency standards.

The report finds that 72% of Americans believe global warming is happening, with 59% attributing it to human activities. While 66% express worry and 64% believe it affects U.S. weather, there is a significant gap in understanding the scientific consensus, with only 22% aware that over 90% of climate scientists agree on human-caused warming. Personal experience with climate effects is reported by 46% of respondents, and a majority perceive extreme weather as a risk to their local communities.

The report finds that while 53% of Americans support climate activists, only 33% believe such advocacy influences elected officials. There is a significant gap between willingness to act—such as 51% who would vote for a candidate based on their climate position if asked by a respected peer—and actual behavior, with only 11% having contacted an official in the past year. Trust in public figures like Bill Nye and Greta Thunberg is high among those familiar with them, and these figures are seen as potential catalysts for mobilizing climate campaigns.

The November 2019 report by the Center for Climate Change Communication reveals that 73% of registered U.S. voters believe global warming is happening, though beliefs and policy support vary significantly by political party. While there is broad bipartisan support for renewable energy research and the Paris Climate Agreement, deep divisions persist regarding the causes of global warming and the expansion of fossil fuel production. The report also highlights an increase in the importance of global warming as a voting issue for the 2020 presidential election, particularly among Democrats.

The report argues that the fossil fuel industry, specifically citing Exxon, knew about the warming effects of CO2 as early as the 1950s but spent millions on disinformation to obscure this reality. It asserts that the industry adopted the 'tobacco industry’s playbook' to attack scientific consensus, use fake experts, and promote logical fallacies to confuse the public. The document outlines the 'FLICC' framework (Fake experts, Logical fallacies, Impossible expectations, Cherry picking, and Conspiracy theories) to explain the techniques used in climate denial and proposes 'inoculation' as a method to neutralize these tactics by communicating facts, revealing sources, and explaining denialist techniques.

A survey of 1,097 registered U.S. voters found that 67% oppose oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Opposition is widespread across political affiliations, with majorities of Democrats (81%) and Independents (64%) and half of Republicans (50%) opposing the practice. The document notes that the Trump administration planned to open the 1.6 million-acre coastal plain to exploration, despite the area being home to species already threatened by global warming.

The study investigated whether logic-based or humor-based corrections could neutralize misinformation across three different topics. The researchers found that these corrections were only effective in reducing misperceptions for HPV vaccination, while results varied for other topics, suggesting that the efficacy of such corrections is issue-dependent.

Two national surveys of American adults found that 47% are willing to pay more per month for 100% renewable electricity, with an overall average willingness to pay of $16.25. The highest willingness to pay is associated with liberal Democrats, younger adults, racial/ethnic minorities, those with graduate degrees, and individuals who perceive renewable energy as economically beneficial or fossil fuel pollution as harmful to health. Notably, higher income does not correlate with a higher willingness to pay, suggesting the issue is not primarily about affordability.

Based on an April 2019 national survey, the document finds that Americans generally underestimate the proportion of their fellow citizens who believe global warming is happening, with an average estimate of 54% compared to an actual figure of 69%. This 'pluralistic ignorance' is more pronounced among conservative Republicans and rural residents, while liberal Democrats and more educated individuals are more accurate. The report argues that perceiving a greater social consensus correlates with more pro-climate views and a higher frequency of discussing the topic with friends and family, suggesting that correcting these misperceptions can increase support for climate policies.

The April 2019 'Climate Change in the American Mind' report reveals that 69% of Americans believe global warming is happening, with 55% attributing it primarily to human activities. While 62% express worry about the issue and 60% believe it is affecting U.S. weather, social engagement remains low, as 63% rarely or never discuss it with family and friends. The report also highlights a significant gap in understanding scientific consensus, with only 17% aware that over 90% of climate scientists agree on human-caused warming.

A 2019 survey of 2,208 registered U.S. voters reveals broad support for government action on climate change, with 70% of respondents favoring such measures. A majority of voters support a national renewable portfolio standard requiring 100% renewable electricity by 2050 and prioritize infrastructure resilience against extreme weather. The data indicates that climate change is a top-tier issue for Democratic voters and that a majority believe transitioning away from fossil fuels will positively impact the economy and jobs.

Voters in six key U.S. swing states show strong support for policies that reduce fossil fuel emissions and expand renewable energy, with many indicating they are more likely to support political candidates who champion these initiatives. The report finds that climate change is a salient issue, particularly among Democratic-leaning voters, and that a majority of voters in these states recognize a link between climate change and worsening extreme weather. There is broad preference for prioritizing wind and solar energy over natural gas or nuclear power to meet state energy needs, and voters generally believe that transitioning to renewables will benefit their local economies and public health.

A 2019 survey of 519 registered Iowa voters reveals strong support for government action on climate change, including a 100% renewable portfolio standard by 2050 and increased funding for wind and solar energy. Voters perceive climate change as negatively impacting Iowa's agriculture, extreme weather, and economy, and they generally prefer candidates who support climate-focused policies and resilient infrastructure.

A 2019 survey of Michigan voters reveals significant concern over climate change and infrastructure, with strong support for a transition to 100% renewable energy by 2050 and the expansion of electric vehicle infrastructure. The findings indicate that climate change is a top-tier priority for Democratic voters in the state and that a majority of voters would be more likely to support political candidates who champion renewable energy funding and carbon taxes.

The December 2018 report 'Climate Change in the American Mind' reveals a continued upward trend in American concern about global warming. Key findings include that 73% of Americans believe global warming is happening, 62% attribute it primarily to human activities, and 69% express worry about the issue. The report also notes that 46% of respondents claim to have personally experienced the effects of global warming and 48% believe people in the U.S. are being harmed 'right now.' While a majority are interested in the topic, social norms for taking action remain weak, with fewer than half perceiving an expectation from family and friends to act.