The Climate Decade - Changing Attitudes on Three Continents

A survey by Mistra Carbon Exit researchers finds that the decade between 2009 and 2019 has seen increases in support for climate action in China and the United States, with support remaining high in Sweden. See the full survey with detailed graphics at Resources For the Future.

Key Findings

Sweden: Climate opinions in Sweden have largely stagnated since 2009, although there has been a slight decrease in commitment to climate change policies. Attitudes toward climate policy are increasingly polarized.

China: Opinion in China has shifted toward a more positive attitude toward climate policies. Notably, Chinese respondents are more willing to pay a larger share of their income than respondents in Sweden or the United States.

United States: Opinion in the United States has shifted toward a more positive attitude toward climate policies; however, these views are increasingly polarized.

The survey is also highlighted in an opinion piece in Svenska Dagbladet January 20.

For more info, please contact co-author:
Åsa Löfgren, Associate Professor at the Department of Economics, University of Gothenburg
asa.lofgren@economics.gu.se