Authors: Anthony Leiserowitz, John Kotcher, Marija Verner, Seth Rosenthal, Emily Goddard, Jennifer Carman, Teresa Myers, Joshua Ettinger, Julia Fine, Emily Richards, Matthew Goldberg, Jennifer Marlon and Edward Maibach
This article is brief and clearly demonstrates Americans' growing concern about climate change.
Students who are also worried about climate change may feel comforted to know that they are not alone.
Prerequisites
Students should understand climate change and that people have different opinions about it.
Students should be able to analyze graphs and data.
Differentiation & Implementation
Students can take the Six Americas Super Short Survey, linked in the article, or administer the survey to other students in the school and compile the data.
Classes with limited time or with students who have low reading stamina can simply analyze the graphs in this article to see how the distribution of the Six Americas has changed.
After reading the communication opportunities section, students can discuss ways to communicate how climate change is interconnected with other issues, like the economy and cost of living. Students can also view these issues through the lens of the Sustainable Development Goals. For more information on these goals, teachers can check out this curriculum guide.
The Yale Program on Climate Change Communication conducts scientific research on public opinion and behavior. They also engage the public in climate change science and solutions, in partnerships with governments, media, companies, and civil society.
Related Teaching Resources
All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.
