Resource Type: Research & Articles

Stick with familiar terms when messaging about climate change. Overall, this research found that “climate change” and “global warming” were rated as most familiar and most concerning, and “climate justice” the least, with ratings for “climate crisis” and “climate emergency” falling in between. Moreover, this research finds no evidence for “climate crisis” or “climate emergency” eliciting more perceived urgency than “climate change” or “global warming.” Rated willingness to support climate-friendly policies and eat less red meat were less affected by presented terms, but they were lowest for “climate justice.” Although effects of terms on rated familiarity, concern, and perceived urgency varied by political leaning, “climate justice” generally received the lowest ratings on these variables among Democrats, Republicans, and Independent/others. Further analyses found that when terms were unfamiliar, participants were generally less likely to express concern, urgency, policy support, or willingness to eat less red meat.

This post includes climate and environment headlines, data points, and key takeaways from recent public polls – including new polling on climate and clean energy issues in the presidential race, extreme weather, nuclear energy, and PFAS.

The clean energy boom continues across the U.S. In the almost two years since the clean energy plan was signed into law on August 16, 2022, companies have announced or advanced 646 new clean energy projects, creating 334,565 new jobs and driving $372 billion in new investments across 47 states and Puerto Rico. Plans include 183 new battery manufacturing sites, 155 new or expanded electric vehicle manufacturing facilities, and 185 solar and wind manufacturing plants. The majority of projects are in five states — Michigan, Texas, Georgia, California, and South Carolina. A bulk of the new clean energy projects are located in congressional districts represented by Republican members of the House of Representatives – totaling 190,727 new jobs and over $286 billion in investment across 354 clean energy projects in 150 Republican-held districts. In low-income communities, 290 new clean energy projects have been announced since the passage of the clean energy plan, bringing $114 billion in investment and 134,385 jobs to low-income communities across 38 states.