Yale Program on Climate Change Communication

4. Energy and the Economy

4.1 Majorities in nearly all areas think that action to reduce climate change will not harm economic growth.

Majorities of respondents in almost all areas surveyed (109 out of 110) think that action to reduce climate change will improve economic growth and provide new jobs or will have no effect on the economy and jobs. Respondents in Malawi (77%), Brazil (77%), and Angola (77%) are the most likely to think so, while respondents in Czechia (47%), Japan (50%), and Azerbaijan (51%) are the least likely. In contrast, respondents in Czechia (51%) and Japan (48%) are the most likely to think that action to reduce climate change will reduce economic growth and cost jobs, while respondents in Malawi (18%) and Angola (20%) are the least likely to think so.

4.2 Majorities in nearly every area support increased use of renewable energy.

Large majorities in all but one surveyed area (109 out of 110) say that their country or territory should use either “much more” or “somewhat more” renewable sources of energy than it does currently, including majorities in 68 areas who say their country or territory should use “much more” renewable energy. Respondents in Hungary (91%), Portugal (89%), and Spain (89%) are the most likely to think that their country should use “much more” or “somewhat more” renewable energy, while respondents in Indonesia (48%) and Tanzania (53%) are the least likely. Few respondents say their country or territory should use less renewable energy.

4.3 Majorities in many areas support decreased use of fossil fuels.

Majorities in 41 out of 110 areas surveyed say their country or territory should use “much less” or “somewhat less” fossil fuels than it does currently. Respondents in Denmark (79%), the United Kingdom (72%), and Sweden (72%) are the most likely to say their country should decrease their use of fossil fuels, while respondents in Cambodia (12%) and Mozambique (16%) are the least likely. By contrast, in 13 areas, a majority of respondents say that their country or territory should increase their use of fossil fuels, including Ghana (58%) and Mozambique (57%). Notably, however, majorities in all of these latter countries say their country should increase their use of renewable energy as well.

Responses to this question varied by region (see Appendix II). Respondents in Europe are the most likely to say that their country or territory should reduce their use of fossil fuels (majorities in 26 out of 31 areas). In contrast, respondents in Sub-Saharan Africa are the least likely: Zero areas have a majority saying their country or territory should decrease its use of fossil fuels, whereas majorities in nine (out of 17) areas say their country or territory should increase its use of fossil fuels.