The type of community Americans live in seems to have little bearing on key climate perspectives. Rural (75%), Suburban (79%), and Urban Americans (84%) are equally aware that climate change is happening, including noticing more severe and changing seasonal weather. High majorities across all community types believe urgent action is needed to reduce the pollution that is causing climate change. They also all believe that the U.S. should produce more wind and solar energy, and less coal. This consensus constitutes a strong foundation of public support for solutions.

A Majority of Republicans Believe Climate and Weather Change Is Happening: 80% of Americans understand that climate change is happening, including 94% of Democrats, 71% of Independents, and 64% of Republicans (up from 58% in 2015). Two in three Republicans (66%) now say they are noticing more severe and changing seasonal weather over recent years, representing a 14-point gain over three years, the highest gain amongst the three parties.

Americans Trust Health leaders for Climate Information: Health professionals are the second most trusted messengers for information on climate change (62% nationally), just after scientists (70%), with a 5-point increase since 2015. Unfortunately, only 20% of Americans report hearing about the climate from health professionals.

Summarizes lessons learned and challenges to collaboration between traditional large environmental organizations and frontline or people of color led organizations. Draws on the conversation at the “Engaging Non-Traditional Groups in Coal Plant Retirement” session at the National Coal Plant Retirement Conference in Denver and co-facilitated by the Little Village Environmental Organization, American Lung Association, Sierra Club, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).