New Report Shows Climate Change is Changing in the American Mind

A new report from the Yale Project on Climate Change, "Climate Change in the American Mind: Americans' Climate Change Beliefs, Attitudes, Policy Preferences, and Actions," has just been released.

According to the Director of the Yale Project, Anthony Leiserowitz, the report is based on a "nationally representative survey of more than 2,000 Americans" conducted in October and November. Despite the small study sample, the study did find that even in the midst of the growing economic crisis, over 90% of Americans said that the United States should act to reduce global warming, including 34% who said the U.S. should make a large-scale effort, even if it has large economic costs. Could it be that environmental issues are moving beyond the confining special interest category that's plagued environmental scientists for so long?

Both this poll and related events (think Powershift) show that mainstream America is beginning to grasp that climate change is real, human-caused, and a serious threat. Greater and great numbers of people want their elected officials at all levels to take more action and support a variety of policies to reduce national greenhouse gas emissions. Growing numbers of Americans are also willing to express their views politically and through their consumer purchases.

However, organizations, academic institutions, and community activists still have a long way to go in educating the general public about the linkages between climate change, natural resources, health, and the economy, and in motivating the public about the impact of collective action.

Green Apple Festival 2008 in my hometown, SF
Green Apple Festival 2008 in my hometown, SF
Besides working with international groups on climate change research and mitigation, International Rivers is beginning to explore local coalitions. Check out 1 Sky and 350.org, if you haven't already, for local actions such as organizing teach-ins or meeting with your Congressional representatives during April recess. And don't forget to celebrate Earth Day 2009 (April 22nd) by volunteering with a local environmental group with the Green Apple Festival.