Anthony Leiserowitz, Edward Maibach, Seth Rosenthal, John Kotcher, Jennifer Carman, Liz Neyens, Teresa Myers, Matthew Goldberg, Eryn Campbell, Karine Lacroix and Jennifer Marlon
Grades
11th, 12th, AP® / College
Subjects
Science, Social Studies, English Language Arts, Math, Social-Emotional Learning
This detailed report explains the results of a survey of about 1,000 Americans and their opinions about global warming and climate change.
The survey asked questions about people's beliefs, emotional responses, and perceived risks related to climate change and global warming.
Teaching Tips
Positives
This paper offers interesting insights into how Americans think about our changing climate.
Students will be able to read and interpret data regarding a survey that covers many facets of climate change opinion.
Additional Prerequisites
Students should be able to read many types of graphs and charts.
Students should have some prior knowledge of how surveys are conducted.
The paper is lengthy but it can be downloaded for use offline or accessed using the interactive table of contents.
Differentiation
Cross-curricular connections can be made in math classes discussing data analysis or in social studies classes thinking about how different cultures or groups of people think differently.
Language arts classes could use this paper when working on informational and technical reading strategies.
Try using the Executive Summary section for a class discussion. Students can discuss how American opinions are changing, what opinions were and were not surprising, and what these opinions mean for climate action in the United States.
As an extension, have students conduct a corresponding survey of their own. Using the questions provided, students can ask a set number of family members or friends and report their findings back to the class. You can even create a class report of your findings using a graphics tool.
Scientist Notes
This website provides a PDF link to the report summary "Climate Change in the American Mind." The report is based on findings from a survey asking Americans their beliefs and attitudes about global warming. The report provides the survey questions along with raw data displayed as graphs and charts. This is a well-sourced resource and would be a great addition to an older classroom discussing the changing attitude toward global warming.
Standards
This resource addresses the listed standards. To fully meet standards, search for more related resources.
Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)
Reading: Science & Technical Subjects (6-12)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.11-12.1 Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts, attending to important distinctions the author makes and to any gaps or inconsistencies in the account.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.11-12.2 Determine the central ideas or conclusions of a text; summarize complex concepts, processes, or information presented in a text by paraphrasing them in simpler but still accurate terms.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.11-12.4 Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 11-12 texts and topics.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.11-12.10 By the end of grade 12, read and comprehend science/technical texts in the grades 11-CCR text complexity band independently and proficiently.
