ORLANDO, Fla. – According to our media partners at Climate Central, 65% of Americans are concerned about climate change. But those 65% are convinced that only about 43% of their fellow Americans are concerned.
In plain terms, that means that most Americans are concerned about the threats of climate change, but simply cling to an old idea that others do not agree. They are suffering from a misperception that others do not agree with them.
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Here in the state of Florida, we are on the mark with the national trend. We have 65% of people in our state are concerned about climate change. Here at home, we are just a tad lower on what others believe. The graphic below shows that we think only about 42% of our fellow Floridians are concerned.
How do we get it so wrong? According to a Yale/Geroge Mason survey, 67% of Americans say they rarely or never discuss global warming with family and friends.
“The most important thing we can do to fight climate change is to talk about it,” climate activist Katharine Hayhoe said.
We are trying to get the conversation started here by presenting Forecasting Change every Thursday. It is our sincere hope that you will help us in the conversation.