Half of Americans believe that humans can reduce/reverse climate change, but people aren’t willing to change their behavior to fix the problem

Washington, DC, April 19, 2021

2020 was a trying year for people around the globe. For the first time in recent history, a virus caused the world to come almost to a stop, or at least that’s how it felt to many. The global pandemic in 2020 caused humans to significantly change their behavior. Fewer people were commuting to work or traveling. Many suggest this change in behavior has had a positive impact on the environment and slowing climate change. In a survey conducted by Ipsos in April of 2021 about severe weather and climate change, Americans are reporting a change.
Key findings:

• Americans are less likely to say they’re experiencing more frequent or intense extreme weather conditions compared to 3-4 years ago. While 2020 was a crazy year, the extreme weather Americans experienced seems to have been milder.
• Awareness of climate change appears to have declined over the past 4 years.
• In 2021, fewer Americans say they are familiar with climate change in general and of specific issues.
• Americans’ overall opinions on climate change and its cause remain unchanged. Most Americans say humans are causing climate change.
• The clear majority of Americans want change. They are both looking to make changes in their lives and looking for government and businesses to make changes to reduce or reverse climate change.

About the Study

These are some of the findings of an Ipsos poll conducted between April 12-13, 2021. For this survey, a sample of 1,003 adults age 18+ from the continental U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii was interviewed online in English. The sample includes 443 Democrats and 383 Republicans,

The sample was randomly drawn from Ipsos’ online panel, partner online panel sources, and “river” sampling and does not rely on a population frame in the traditional sense. Ipsos uses fixed sample targets, unique to each study, in drawing a sample. After a sample has been obtained from the Ipsos panel, Ipsos calibrates respondent characteristics to be representative of the U.S. Population using standard procedures such as raking-ratio adjustments. The source of these population targets is U.S. Census 2018 American Community Survey data. The sample drawn for this study reflects fixed sample targets on demographics. Posthoc weights were made to the population characteristics on gender, age, race/ethnicity, region, and education. 

Statistical margins of error are not applicable to online non-probability polls. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error and measurement error. Where figures do not sum to 100, this is due to the effects of rounding. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll has a credibility interval of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points for all respondents. Ipsos calculates a design effect (DEFF) for each study based on the variation of the weights, following the formula of Kish (1965). This study had a credibility interval adjusted for design effect of the following (n=1,003, DEFF=1.5, adjusted Confidence Interval=+/-5.0 percentage points).

The poll also has a credibility interval of plus or minus 5.3 percentage points for Democrats and plus or minus 5.7 percentage points for Republicans.

For more information on this news release, please contact:

Jennifer Berg
Director, US
Public Affairs
+1 773 251-0171
[email protected] 

Kate Silverstein
Media Relations Specialist, US
Public Affairs
+1 718 755-8829
[email protected]

About Ipsos

Ipsos is the world’s third largest Insights and Analytics company, present in 90 markets and employing more than 18,000 people.

Our passionately curious research professionals, analysts and scientists have built unique multi-specialist capabilities that provide true understanding and powerful insights into the actions, opinions and motivations of citizens, consumers, patients, customers or employees. We serve more than 5000 clients across the world with 75 business solutions.

Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos is listed on the Euronext Paris since July 1st, 1999. The company is part of the SBF 120 and the Mid-60 index and is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD).

ISIN code FR0000073298, Reuters ISOS.PA, Bloomberg IPS:FP www.ipsos.com