Reports

Climate Change in the American Mind, January 2010

We are pleased to announce the release of Climate Change in the American Mind: Public Support for Climate and Energy Policies in January 2010. Based on a nationally representative survey of 1,001 American adults conducted in late December and early January 2010, this report updates and extends last year’s report of the same name. In brief, we found that public support for a variety of climate and energy policies remains strong, despite reduced public concern about global warming. We invite you to download and read the report.

Click here to download the press release.

We are pleased to announce the release of Climate Change in the American Mind: Americans’ Global Warming Beliefs and Attitudes in January 2010. Based on a nationally representative survey of 1,001 American adults conducted in late December and early January 2010, this report updates and extends last year’s report of the same name. In brief, we found that public concern about global warming, and public trust in a range of information sources, has dropped sharply over the past year. We invite you to download and read the full report.

Click here to download the press release.

Saving Energy is a Value Shared by All Americans     

This is a chapter from Karen Ehrhardt-Martinez's forthcoming edited book titled: Human Resources for Climate Solutions: Energy Smart Behaviors, People Centered Policies, and Public Engagement.

Global Warming's Six Americas 2009

We are pleased to announce the release of our latest report – Global Warming's Six Americas 2009. Based on a nationally representative survey of 2,164 American adults conducted last fall, this report updates and significantly extends our earlier report titled Global Warming's Six Americas. In this report, we identify and profile six distinct groups of Americans based on their climate change beliefs, attitudes, risk perceptions, policy preferences, behaviors, barriers to action, motivations, and values. We invite you to download and read the full report and the Yale/Mason Six Americas 2009 Questionnaire

Climate Change in the American Mind

Released in March 2009, "Climate Change in the American Mind: Americans' Climate Change Beliefs, Attitudes, Policy Preferences, and Actions" is based on a nationally representative survey of 2,164 American adults conducted in October 2008. This broad and a deep examination of how Americans are dealing with the issue of global warming yielded an important new perspective. On the whole, the American mind appears to be open to embracing a concerted national effort to address climate change.

Saving Energy at Home and On the Road  

"Saving energy at home and on the road: A survey of Americans' energy saving behaviors, intentions, motivations, and barriers" is based on a nationally representative survey of over 2,000 Americans. Reducing energy use – including helping American families become more energy-efficient in their homes and travels – is currently near the top of the agenda at every level of government. This report provides an audience-centric perspective on those issues.

Global Warming's "Six Americas"   

Mason and Yale 4C researchers released a groundbreaking audience segmentation analysis titled "Global Warming's Six Americas" at a November 18th briefing of over 200 entertainment industry writers, directors and producers in Los Angeles. 

Summary Report: A Meeting to Assess Public Attitudes about Climate Change. (April 2008) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, George Mason University Center For Climate Change Communication.

This report brings the perspectives of researchers and climate change communicators together in an informal assessment of the state of current knowledge about public and policymaker attitudes and recommendations for future research.

Are we ready?: Preparing for the public health challenges of climate change. (March 2008) National Association of City and County Health Officials, Environmental Defense Fund & George Mason University.

While almost 80% of public health department leaders believe that climate change will impact the health of people in their jurisdictions over the next few decades, few have yet been able to make it a top priority, according to a new national survey co-sponsored by the Center for Climate Change Communication. Click here for report

What are Americans thinking and doing about global warming? The results of a national household survey, (Jan. 2008) Porter Novelli & George Mason University

Republicans and Democrats may be far apart on the politics of climate change, but when it comes to employing behaviors that actually reduce greenhouse gas emissions, they aren't so far apart, a recent Porter Novelli-George Mason University survey found. Click here for report

Journal Articles

Maibach, E., Steg, L., & Anable, J. (2009) Promoting physical activity and reducing climate change: Opportunities to replace short car trips with active transportation. Preventive Medicine, 49(4), 326-327. Retrieve here.

Zhao, X. (2009). Media use and global warming perceptions: A snapshot of the reinforcing spirals. Communication Research, 36(5), 698-723. Retrieve here.

Maibach, E., & Hornig Priest, S. (2009). No more "Business as Usual": Addressing climate change through constructive engagement. Science Communication, 30(3), 299-304. Retrieve here.

Nisbet, M. C., & Kotcher, J. E. (2009). A two-step flow of influence?: Opinion-leader campaigns on climate change. Science Communication, 30(3), 328-354. Retrieve here.

Bowman, T., Maibach, E., Mann, M., Moser, S., & Somerville, R. (2009) Creating a common climate language. (Letter) Science, 324: 36-37. Retrieve here.

Nisbet, M. C. (2009) Communicating climate change: Why frames matter for public engagement. Environment, (March-April).

Maibach, E. (2009) This year in Copenhagen. (Editorial) International Journal of Sustainability Communication, 4, 1-4. Retrieve here.

Cai, X., Zhao, X., & Carey, G. (2009). Altruism and kid's perceptions of global warming. International Journal of Sustainability Communication, 4, 5-22. Retr