About the Climate Insights Survey
RFF works with Stanford University to conduct in-depth surveys of American perceptions of climate change and energy policies.
Overview
RFF's Climate Insights survey is the result of a longstanding polling partnership led by RFF University Fellow and Stanford University professor Jon Krosnick. Past polls have been featured in publications including the New York Times, LA Times, USA Today, ABC News, and elsewhere. Topics frequently surveyed include:
- How serious a problem is global warming for the United States and for the world?
- Are the President and members of Congress ascribing sufficient importance to the issue of global warming?
- Do Americans support government efforts to reduce greenhouse gases, such as higher taxes on electricity and gasoline, or tax breaks for companies that produce more renewable or clean energy?
2020 Survey Results
Data Tool — Aug 24, 2020
Climate Insights
A new interactive tool provides comprehensive data on American public attitudes toward climate change between 1997 and 2020.
Report — Aug 24, 2020
Climate Insights 2020: Overall Trends
A survey of American public opinion on climate change and the environment
Report — Sep 4, 2020
Climate Insights 2020: Natural Disasters
Climate Insights 2020: Natural Disasters
Report — Sep 23, 2020
Climate Insights 2020: Policies and Politics
Climate Insights 2020: Policies and Politics
Report — Oct 13, 2020
Climate Insights 2020: Partisan Divide
Climate Insights 2020: Partisan Divide
Report — Oct 19, 2020
Climate Insights 2020: Electric Vehicles
Climate Insights 2020: Electric Vehicles
Report — Oct 26, 2020
Climate Insights 2020: Opinion in the States
Climate Insights 2020: Opinion in the States
Methodology and Data
Past Survey Results
July 2018
- Survey questions and answers: Public Attitudes on Global Warming 2018 (PDF)
- ABC News article: Public backs action on global warming - but with cost concerns and muted urgency
April 2015
- Survey questions and answers: Global Warming National Poll 2015: Part III (PDF)
February 2015
- New York Times article: Climate Change Is of Growing Personal Concern to US Hispanics, Poll Finds
- Survey questions and answers: Global Warming National Poll 2015: Part II (PDF)
- Background Material on Hispanic Attitudes toward Climate Change (PDF)
January 2015
- New York Times article: Most Americans Support Government Action on Climate Change, Poll Finds
- New York Times interactive: Global Warming: What Should Be Done?
- Survey questions and answers: Global Warming National Poll 2015 (PDF)
June 2014
- Press release: Public Opinion on Climate Remains Unchanged, According to New RFF Survey
- Survey questions and answers: Global Warming National Poll 2014 (PDF)
December 2013
- USA Today article: Poll: Americans See Impact of Global Warming
- USA Today article: Poll: Slight Majority Backs Keystone Pipeline
- Common Resources blog post: RFF/Stanford/USA Today Poll Shows Majority Support for Regulating Power Plant GHG Emissions
- Infographic: Surveying American Attitudes Toward Climate Change
- Survey questions and answers: Global Warming and Clean Energy National Poll 2013 (PDF)
- Seminar: Public Attitudes about Climate Change and Clean Energy
- Seminar: Climate Change and Clean Energy—A Survey of US Public Attitudes
Past Events
RFF Live — Sep 24, 2020
Climate Insights 2020: Climate Change and the American Voter
Climate Insights 2020: Climate Change and the American Voter
Workshop — Mar 11, 2014
Climate Change and Clean Energy—A Survey of US Public Attitudes
Climate Change and Clean Energy—A Survey of US Public Attitudes
Workshop — Jan 28, 2014
Public Attitudes about Climate Change and Clean Energy
RFF and the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) conducted a briefing discussing American perceptions of climate change following a new in-depth survey.