Yale Program on Climate Change Communication

1. Climate Change Knowledge, Beliefs, and Engagement

1.1 Respondents in many countries, territories, and groups say they know at least a moderate amount about climate change.

A majority of respondents (more than 50%) in 45 of the 110 countries, territories, and geographic groups (hereafter, “areas”) surveyed say they know either “a lot” or “a moderate amount” about climate change. Respondents in Finland (89%), Hungary (85%), Austria (77%), and Germany (76%) are the most likely to say they know at least a moderate amount.

By contrast, in many areas, substantial percentages of respondents say they have “never heard of” climate change. Respondents in Benin and Haiti are the most likely to say they have never heard of it (both 36%).

Comparing world regions (see Appendix II), respondents in Europe are most likely to say they know at least a moderate amount about climate change, with majorities in 27 out of 31 areas saying so. In contrast, respondents in Sub-Saharan Africa are least likely, with no majorities saying so in any area.

It is also important to note that this survey was conducted on the Facebook platform, so it likely underrepresents populations with lower incomes and literacy rates. Prior research has found that members of these groups are more likely to know little or nothing about climate change.

1.2 The great majority of respondents think climate change is happening.

After being asked about their current level of knowledge regarding climate change, respondents were given this short definition: “Climate change refers to the idea that the world’s average temperature has been increasing over the past 150 years, will increase more in the future, and that the world’s climate will change as a result. What do you think: Do you think climate change is happening?”

The great majority of respondents in all 110 surveyed areas say that they think climate change is happening. This includes 90 percent of respondents or more in 19 countries and territories, including El Salvador (94%), Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Armenia and Nicaragua (all 93%), and Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Colombia (all 92%). The percentage is lowest (but still high) in Haiti (64%); Australia and the Netherlands (both 70%); and Laos and Austria (both 71%).

1.3 Respondents in nearly all areas think climate change is at least partially caused by humans.

A majority of respondents in 109 of the 110 surveyed areas say that climate change is at least partially caused by human activities (i.e., that it is either “caused mostly by human activities” or is “caused about equally by human activities and natural changes”). However, among those, majorities in only 16 areas say climate change is mostly caused by human activities (see map). Respondents in Portugal (61%), Spain (59%), and Finland (57%) are the most likely to say that climate change is mostly caused by human activities, while respondents in Haiti (18%) and Indonesia (20%) are the least likely. Respondents in Mozambique are the most likely to say climate change is caused mostly by natural changes in the environment (36%), followed by respondents in the Dominican Republic (30%) and Yemen (28%).

Comparing results by region (see Appendix II), respondents in South America are the most likely to say that climate change is caused mostly by human activities (majorities in 4 out of 9 areas), while respondents in Southwest Asia/North Africa (majorities in zero areas), as well as Sub-Saharan Africa (majority in one area), are the least likely.