Climate Change in the American Mind: September 2021
Provided by: Yale Program on Climate Change Communication|Published on: January 13, 2022|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12, AP
Type: Data, Graphs, and Maps
Subjects: Social Studies, English Language Arts, Mathematics
Authors: Yale Program on Climate Change Communication
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This 112-page document features robust data on the public opinion of climate change in the United States.
- The graphs present various opinions over time, allowing students to see how or if opinions have changed.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This data is incredibly rich and robust, with many ways for students to explore the content.
Additional Prerequisites
- For a quick look at the data, you can read the Executive Summary on pp. 3-4.
- The Yale Program on Climate Change Communication also has an excellent interactive map on climate opinions in the United States.
Differentiation
- Students can use this report to design and implement their own surveys on climate change in their school or classroom. Students and teachers can be surveyed.
- This can be a great interdisciplinary resource for social studies, mathematics, and English classes.
- Students can also take the Six Americas Super Short Survey to see where they fall in the "Six Americas": Alarmed, Concerned, Cautious, Disengaged, Doubtful, and Dismissive.
The resource examined the percentage of the American population with climate knowledge and those with disbeliefs about climate change posing environmental hazards. It used weighted averages, age criteria of 18 and above, and other indicators for the study. This is relevant, valid, and recommended to provide important insights to students.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
