Globally representative evidence on the actual and perceived support for climate action

Summary

A survey of 130,000 people in 125 countries, finding wider support for climate action than most assume: 69% would contribute 1% of their income, 86% endorse pro-climate social norms and 89% want more political action. Yet people everywhere “systematically underestimate the willingness of their fellow citizens to act” – a worldwide case of what researchers call pluralistic ignorance.

Rationale

What people assume about each other is part of the context that forms them. If most underestimate their neighbours’ willingness to act, separation is partly a misreading we keep rehearsing.