Resource Library

Increasing the likelihood that an individual will take action to address climate change not only requires threats, but also efficacy. Efficacy is people’s perceptions about their ability to take action and the perceived effectiveness of those actions. However, communicators of climate change, including the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), often fall short in communicating effective and motivational information about responses to climate change. This resource provides tangible actions for addressing efficacy in climate change communication.

American voters care a lot about clean air and water and favor clean energy. 96% of people agree that “clean air and water” are important, similar to the levels of people who agree that “healthcare” (97%) and “jobs and the economy” (95%) are important. 72% believe it would be better for America’s future to invest in wind, solar, and energy storage (compared to 28% who believe it’s better to invest in fossil fuels). Within that 72%, 87% of Democrats agree and 55% of Republicans agree. 73% of all voters believe that clean energy is “extremely” or “very” important to America’s future. 79% of voter favor tax incentives to expand the clean energy industry. This survey asked a few more questions about Americans’ support for clean energy policy.

This post includes a roundup of climate + environment headlines, data points, and key takeaways from this week’s public polls – including lots of new polling about international climate action ahead of COP26, fresh new polling on the Build Back Better plan, and new polls on corporate accountability, household energy costs, and the personal impacts of climate change.