Climate Change: Public Attitudes and Messaging Recommendations

Anna Fahey

Communications Strategist

Sightline Institute

• Snapshot of climate attitudes

• Key takeaways from public opinion research

• Tips for talking about global warming

American Climate Attitudes

• 70% understand global warming is happening

• 54% know global warming is human caused

• 44% believe scientists agree global warming is happening

• 80% think global warming will be a serious problem for the US if nothing is done about it

• 74% say “global warming is affecting weather in the United States”

• 83% think that protecting the environment improves economic growth and provides jobs (58%) or has no effect on economic growth or jobs (25%)

• 88% say the US should make an effort to reduce global warming, even if it has economic costs

• 84% of Democrats, 77% of Independents, and 67% of Republicans support regulating CO2 as a pollutant

• Americans overwhelmingly support clean energy solutions, including 85% of Obama voters and 73% of Romney voters

• 92%—nearly all Americans—say the president and Congress should make developing clean energy sources a priority

• 77% say global warming should be a priority for the president and Congress

• More than 80% of American voters say that conserving our country's natural resources—our land, air and water—is patriotic

• 71% see their local utilities as credible sources of environmental information

• 81% say their electric utility should be taking advantage of energy-saving technology

• 71% have a positive feeling about their utility

• 78% in WA, OR, CA favor investing in making homes and businesses more energy efficient

• 71% favor expanding investment in innovative infrastructure such as clean fuels, bus rapid transit and commuter rail

• 74% favor training workers to transition from dirty industries to clean energy industries

• 65% favor investing funds raised by charging large companies climate pollution fees in expanding clean energy sources

• 67% favor closing loopholes for dirty fuels

Messaging Takeaways

Even with uncertainty about details, there’s overwhelming support for climate and energy solutions.

American voters reject the notion that protecting our environment is at odds with a strong economy.

Voters are hungry for leadership.

Utilities are seen as leaders on energy efficiency.

Stop talking about polar bears!

Image courtesy Oxfam International, Flickr.org, under a Creative Commons license.

1.Climate change is happening now, it’s caused by human activities, and it’s serious.

2.It’s personal, not partisan.

3.There’s hope. Solutions are readily available.

TALKING SOLUTIONS:

• Concrete, local• Success stories• American INGENUITY• Community PRIDE &

LEADERSHIP

Smart Choices

• Who would move backward when we can go FORWARD?

• Who wants dependence when we can be SELF-SUFFICIENT?

• Who would choose dirty energy when we can go CLEAN?

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anna@sightline.org

Sightline Institutewww.sightline.org