Climate Change in the American Mind: Politics & Policy, Fall 2025
Executive Summary
Drawing on a representative sample of the U.S. adult population (n = 1,146; including the 990 registered voters whose data are used in this report), these findings describe how registered voters view a variety of domestic climate and energy policies. The survey was fielded from November 6–14, 2025.
This executive summary presents the results for all registered voters, while the main text of the report also breaks the results down by political party and ideology.
59% of registered voters would prefer to vote for a candidate for public office who supports action on global warming.
The Foreign Pollution Fee Act
The Foreign Pollution Fee Act, proposed by Republican members of the U.S. Senate, would put a fee on products imported into the United States based on the amount of carbon pollution emitted when they were made. The Act would affect major polluters like China and help U.S. companies (which have higher environmental standards) compete.
Few registered voters have heard of this proposed bill: Only 2% of registered voters have heard either “a lot” or “a moderate amount” about it.
After reading a short description of the Foreign Pollution Fee Act, 78% of registered voters said they support the proposal.
The Paris Climate Agreement
77% of registered voters support U.S. participation in the Paris Climate Agreement.
64% oppose President Trump’s decision to pull the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Agreement.
Who Should Act?
Half or more registered voters say the following should do more to address global warming: Corporations and industry (67%), the Republican Party (60%), the U.S. Congress (60%), President Trump (60%), citizens themselves (58%), local government officials (54%), the Democratic Party (53%), their governor (52%), and the media (51%). Forty-five percent say they should do more themselves.