Resource Type: Social Science Research

In recent polling, clear majorities support the U.S. taking more serious policy action on climate—especially regarding international climate diplomacy. Some topline examples illustrate this: About two in three registered voters (65%) think the United States should be doing more to address global warming; 61% of registered voters think the United States should reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, regardless of what other countries do. Seven in ten registered voters (70%) support U.S. participation in the Paris Climate Agreement. More than half of registered voters support providing financial aid and technical support to developing countries to limit their greenhouse gas emissions (i.e., mitigation, 58%) and to help them prepare for the impacts of global warming (i.e., adaptation, 54%). Three in four registered voters (75%) support the United States pressuring other countries to reduce their carbon pollution.             

There is a great pool of untapped potential climate activists waiting to be recruited. A survey of Americans shows that while current levels of activism are low—only 4% of “Alarmed” and 1% of “Concerned” respondents are currently involved in a campaign to push elected officials to take climate action—, nearly a third would be willing to join such a campaign, including over half of the Alarmed. Other specific forms of activism, such as volunteering, donating, and writing or meeting with officials, all also attract about that same level of interest, if someone they liked and respected asked them to get involved. Even 15% of Americans report willingness to engage in non-violent civil disobedience.