We know that The Pollinator is a global newsletter, and we try not to spend too much time on topics having to do with the US. On the other hand, we also know that the US is not only one of the major contributors to global problems like climate change, and the political structure and climate in the US means that the opinion of “ordinary Americans” matters in these debates.

So it is interesting to read this latest report from Yale University, “Climate Change in the American Mind“:

Our latest national survey finds that overall public understanding that climate change is happening, affecting the weather, and harming Americans is at all-time record highs. For example, Americans who think global warming is happening outnumber those who think it is not by a ratio of more than 6 to 1 (76% versus 12%). Those who are “very” or “extremely” sure global warming is happening outnumber those who are “very” or “extremely” sure it is not by about 8 to 1 (57% versus 7%). The report includes many other interesting findings, including how often Americans hear and talk about global warming.

Of course, we know that a change of opinion on the street does not necessarily mean there will be change in the halls of power. But at least the trendline is moving in the right direction.