Public Attitudes about Climate Change and Clean Energy
Channel: eesionline
Date: 07/10/2016

Learn more at http://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/100616polling

Speaker:
Prof. Edward Maibach
Director, Center for Climate Change Communication, George Mason University
Slides: http://www.eesi.org/files/Edward_Maibach_100616-Print-PDF.pdf

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a briefing discussing American perceptions of climate change as awareness and concern for its impacts continues to rise among the electorate. The latest polling indicates seven in ten Americans say climate change is happening, and a majority feel their member of Congress should be doing more to address this global issue.

The presentation delved into recent work from the polling sector, including what Americans really think about climate change policy, how mainstream reporting has adapted its coverage of climate issues over the years, and how voter attitudes towards climate change and clean energy may influence the 2016 election cycle. Polling trends at both the national and state level were discussed, as Dr. Maibach explored the gap between the data and real-world experiences in measuring public opinion.

Dr. Maibach has been a professor at George Mason University, where he co-founded the Center for Climate Change Communication (4C), since 2007. His research focuses on what mobilizes populations to adopt behaviors and support public policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help communities adapt to climate impacts. From 2011 to 2014, Dr. Maibach co-chaired the Engagement & Communication Working Group for the Third National Climate Assessment, and he currently advises various organizations on their climate change-related public engagement initiatives.

The Center for Climate Change Communication is a non-partisan organization that conducts unbiased social science research to identify opportunities to enhance public understanding of and engagement with climate change. Mason 4C, in conjunction with the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, has conducted two national surveys a year since 2008, providing a valuable perspective on how public attitudes toward climate and environmental issues have shifted over time. Through its partnerships with government agencies, associations, and businesses, 4C advances climate education through consortia and training programs