climate change: public attitudes and messaging recommendations anna fahey communications strategist...
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Climate Change: Public Attitudes and Messaging Recommendations
Anna Fahey
Communications Strategist
Sightline Institute
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• Snapshot of climate attitudes
• Key takeaways from public opinion research
• Tips for talking about global warming
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American Climate Attitudes
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• 70% understand global warming is happening
• 54% know global warming is human caused
• 44% believe scientists agree global warming is happening
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• 80% think global warming will be a serious problem for the US if nothing is done about it
• 74% say “global warming is affecting weather in the United States”
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• 83% think that protecting the environment improves economic growth and provides jobs (58%) or has no effect on economic growth or jobs (25%)
• 88% say the US should make an effort to reduce global warming, even if it has economic costs
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• 84% of Democrats, 77% of Independents, and 67% of Republicans support regulating CO2 as a pollutant
• Americans overwhelmingly support clean energy solutions, including 85% of Obama voters and 73% of Romney voters
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• 92%—nearly all Americans—say the president and Congress should make developing clean energy sources a priority
• 77% say global warming should be a priority for the president and Congress
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• More than 80% of American voters say that conserving our country's natural resources—our land, air and water—is patriotic
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• 71% see their local utilities as credible sources of environmental information
• 81% say their electric utility should be taking advantage of energy-saving technology
• 71% have a positive feeling about their utility
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• 78% in WA, OR, CA favor investing in making homes and businesses more energy efficient
• 71% favor expanding investment in innovative infrastructure such as clean fuels, bus rapid transit and commuter rail
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• 74% favor training workers to transition from dirty industries to clean energy industries
• 65% favor investing funds raised by charging large companies climate pollution fees in expanding clean energy sources
• 67% favor closing loopholes for dirty fuels
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Messaging Takeaways
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Even with uncertainty about details, there’s overwhelming support for climate and energy solutions.
American voters reject the notion that protecting our environment is at odds with a strong economy.
Voters are hungry for leadership.
Utilities are seen as leaders on energy efficiency.
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Stop talking about polar bears!
Image courtesy Oxfam International, Flickr.org, under a Creative Commons license.
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1.Climate change is happening now, it’s caused by human activities, and it’s serious.
2.It’s personal, not partisan.
3.There’s hope. Solutions are readily available.
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TALKING SOLUTIONS:
• Concrete, local• Success stories• American INGENUITY• Community PRIDE &
LEADERSHIP
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Smart Choices
• Who would move backward when we can go FORWARD?
• Who wants dependence when we can be SELF-SUFFICIENT?
• Who would choose dirty energy when we can go CLEAN?
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