Resources

Search below for resources covering the intersection of climate engagement, social science and data analytics.

RESULTS

Research & Articles
03-01-2026

To support grid reliability and affordability communications in the Iran war or broader geopolitical context, the Reliable Grid Project (RGP) offers messaging research, resources, and guidance.

The State of Play on Energy Costs and Energy Affordability

GBAO, GSG, Hart Research, Workbench Strategy
Research & Articles
02-26-2026

Electricity bills have joined groceries, housing, and health care as a top tier issue in the affordability crisis. Voters broadly support clean energy and view it as one of the few solutions to help lower energy costs.

"The Trump administration has been working hard to effectively repeal the Inflation Reduction Act and destroy the Biden administration’s historic investments in clean energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing. After initially attempting to freeze the funding from Joe Biden’s 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, President Donald Trump is now taking credit for the projects it funded, while also pushing a top-down approach to artificial intelligence infrastructure. New Data for Progress polling assesses how voters view the government’s role in shaping the U.S. economy and growing key industries, as well as how they would feel about new developments in their local community. The survey finds broad public support for the government to take a more active role in supporting new economic development. A strong majority of voters (71%) believe the federal government should take a more active role in shaping the U.S. economy, and 82% of voters view investment in new technologies or industries as a priority for the federal government. While voters generally express high support for new industrial development, only 51% say they would be enthusiastic about a new construction project in their community."

Energy Justice Messaging Guid

Rachel Jacobson and Keecee DeVenny (State Priorities Partnership)
Research & Articles
01-01-2026

This guide is designed to help organizations bring a consumer-centered lens to energy policy debates, and to show how utility regulation, affordability programs, and climate justice intersect with state budgets and economic health. By using this guide, you can frame energy affordability not just as an environmental or technical issue, but as a core economic justice concern, one that directly impacts household stability, community resilience, and long-term, your state’s prosperity.

Investor-Owned Utilities Messaging Guide

Rachel Jacobson and Keecee DeVenny (State Priorities Partnership)
Research & Articles
01-01-2026

This messaging guide is designed to equip organizations with clear, evidence-driven language to hold IOUs accountable, advocate on behalf of consumers, and demand transparency. Tailor the messaging strategy and sample talking points to fit your state’s context.

This resource from consultancy Whole Whale offers a helpful framework for how to write AI prompts.

End Point or Setback? A Retrospective of the Maine Public Power Ballot Initiative

Johanna Bozuwa, Holly Caggiano, Sara M. Constantino, Lucy Hochschartner, Sandeep Vaheesan, Winston Yau. Climate & Community Institute
Research & Articles
11-01-2025

This case study recounts and analyzes the 2023 ballot initiative campaign for Maine to take ownership of the two investor-owned utilities in the state and create a new publicly-owned utility called Pine Tree Power. Along the way, the Our Power campaign integrated research throughout their campaign to evaluate their power-building strategy. While the referendum lost at the ballot, Our Power draw out a number of insights from their campaign for energy democracy, including:

Accelerate Climate Action with Behavior Change [Climate Week 2025]

Caroly Shumway & Rebecca Edgecumbe (Center for Behavior and Climate); Jo Bjorgaard & Justin Rolfe-Reding (Climate Advocacy Lab)
Research & Articles
09-23-2025

How do we accelerate climate action? This session provides you with the skills to motivate the public to accelerate climate action and reduce climate health risk. The goal of our virtual master class is to boost your outreach skills and accelerate climate action, using evidence-based behavioral science. This trans-disciplinary training includes short talks, exercises, and discussion. Expected outcomes are increased understanding of how to effectively apply behavior change to climate outreach. The presentations focus on the behavior science tools of Social norms, Social identify, Efficacy, Legacy motivation, and Framing for different audiences. View slides here.

Research with voters across the country points to the best path forward to hold power companies accountable. Messaging was extensively tested via qualitative and survey research, which identifies a clear path forward that focuses on corporate greed, monopolization, and corruption.

Research & Articles
08-15-2025

Third Way and Impact Research found that non-college-educated men under 50 are a key demographic holding deep misconceptions about clean energy, with 40% believing fossil fuels are as good or better for the environment. To shift these views, advocates must go beyond digital platforms and focus on trusted messengers and targeted messaging. This group’s skepticism requires tailored strategies that address misinformation and resonate culturally and emotionally.