More than two-thirds of California voters expect extreme weather swings to become more common due to climate change, and Californians are deeply concerned about the water situation in the West. 81% of California voters say that it’s important for the state to continue enforcing water conservation policies for residential, commercial, and agricultural water users - including 52% who say it’s “very” important. 69% of California voters expect extreme swings in the state’s weather to become more common because of climate change. 60% of California voters support reducing water deliveries from the Colorado River.

California voters, including those in swing congressional districts (CDs), understand that climate change impacts the weather and the state economy. 61% of California voters say that climate change is either a “crisis” or serious problem, including 53% in swing CDs. 60% of California voters say that climate change plays a major role in extreme weather events, including 53% in swing CDs.

Americans say that extreme weather and scientists have the greatest influence on their climate attitudes; most say they’ve been affected by extreme weather in recent years. 72% of Americans recognize that climate change is happening, compared to just 12% who deny it. 55% of adults report experiencing extremely hot weather or a heat wave in the last 5 years, and 45% say severe cold weather or severe winter storms. People report that extreme weather events and scientists have the most impact on their climate change views—which is true among both Republicans and Democrats.

For weather information to effectively reach the public, that information must be received, understood, trusted, and prompt a response from the audience. There is no singular method that can be used to reach all audiences – practitioners should vary their strategies to reach multiple demographics. Bilingual and Spanish-speaking broadcasters are playing a critical role in communicating climate and weather information with underrepresented groups. When you have risk information to share with your audience, consider following the “27-9-3” model: limit your message to contain no more than 27 words, which can be delivered in 9 seconds, and has just 3 main ideas. Audiences’ perceptions of risk are context-dependent and will vary substantially – there is no such thing as a “general audience” when it comes to risk communication. This resource includes a video recorded panel of 3 experts on these topics.

The majority of Americans say that climate change is affecting their local community. Most want the government to encourage clean energy but not fossil fuels. 67% of Americans agree that large businesses and corporations are doing too little to help reduce the effects of global climate change. 66% of Americans say that the federal government should encourage the production of wind and solar power. 61% of Americans agree that climate change is having at least “some” impact on their local community. 58% of Americans agree that their state elected officials are doing too little to help reduce the effects of global climate change.

Roughly three in four Americans recognize that climate change is happening, and most believe it’s accelerating. Extreme weather and scientists have the greatest influence on Americans’ climate views. 74% of Americans recognize that climate change is happening. 55% of Americans say that the pace of climate change is getting faster. 41% percent of Americans say they would be at least somewhat likely to purchase an electric vehicle (EV) the next time they are in the market for a new car, according to a new survey from the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. More than 6 in 10 Americans cite saving money on gas and vehicle maintenance as reasons to purchase one, along with reducing their personal impact on climate change. 

Roughly one in three Americans say they’ve experienced extreme weather in the last two years, including nearly half of the South. However, few think of extreme temperatures when asked to provide examples of “extreme weather” events. Americans who say that winter in their area this season was warmer than usual (42% of Americans) are more likely to say that warmer winter temperatures are due to climate change (62%) than natural variation (36%).

The ocean is fundamental to the livelihoods of most Australians, 80% of which live in coastal zones. Ocean health and climate resilience are also deeply interlinked – the ocean is the world’s biggest carbon sink, absorbing a quarter of all carbon emissions. Climate change is causing serious shifts in the ocean, which is degrading its health and contributing to sea level rise and disaster risks, like storm surges and hurricanes. Climate Outreach teamed up with Australian agency Glider Global to root its global Ocean Visuals project in Australia. Climate Outreach display 32 images from their Ocean Visuals collection in a free exhibition at the Sydney Opera House between 29 March and 7 April. Several of the photographs selected from the Ocean Visuals collection, and photos taken over the course of the exhibition can be seen at the link.

Voters are widely concerned about extreme heat - particularly in how it impacts the elderly - and support a wide range of policies to mitigate it. 87% of voters support their state or municipality investing in public urban green spaces, including parks and open areas with trees and other natural features, to reduce the urban heat island effect in cities. 85% of voters support their state or municipality providing financial incentives for installing energy-efficient air conditioning in homes. 84% of voters support their state or municipality investing in programs to weatherize homes to make them more energy efficient and climate resilient. 78% of voters support the Heating and Cooling Relief Act to increase annual funding for low-income household energy assistance and expand eligibility to ensure that no household pays more than 3 percent of its annual income on energy costs. 78% of voters support a federal law to prevent utility shut-offs during extreme heat events. 77% of voters support requiring landlords to provide renters with air conditioning or indoor cooling in areas that experience extreme heat events.

The steady majority of Americans recognize that humans are causing global warming, and nearly half say that they’ve been personally impacted. Americans also tend to believe that global warming is affecting the weather, especially in the cases of extreme heat, droughts, and wildfires. Americans who recognize that global warming is happening outnumber those who deny that it’s happening by a greater than four-to-one margin (70% to 16%). 63% of Americans say they feel a personal sense of responsibility to help reduce global warming. Three in five Americans (60%) recognize that global warming is affecting weather in the United States; when asked about specific types of extreme weather, more than two-thirds agree that global warming is affecting extreme heat (70%), droughts (70%), wildfires (70%), and water shortages (68%). Nearly three in five Americans (58%) recognize that global warming is mostly caused by humans.