Areas of Common Ground
Despite partisan divides, most Americans agree on these key points:
- âś“Clean air and clean water are essential and worth protecting
- âś“America's natural parks, forests, and wilderness should be preserved
- âś“Renewable energy sources (solar, wind) should be developed alongside traditional energy
+ 7 more areas of agreement below
What's the Challenge?
Climate change presents both environmental and political challenges. While 67% of Democrats view it as a major problem, only 13% of Republicans share that concern—one of the sharpest partisan divides. Yet underneath the political polarization, Americans across the spectrum care about clean air, clean water, and preserving natural spaces for future generations. The debate often focuses on whether and how fast to transition from fossil fuels, who should bear the costs, and whether economic growth must be sacrificed for environmental protection.
Where Most Americans Agree
Clean air and clean water are essential and worth protecting
America's natural parks, forests, and wilderness should be preserved
Renewable energy sources (solar, wind) should be developed alongside traditional energy
Energy independence and national security matter
Pollution from other countries (especially China) should be addressed
Technology and innovation can help solve environmental challenges
Local communities should have input on environmental decisions affecting them
Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and costly
Conservation and responsible stewardship of resources benefit everyone
Jobs and economic security matter when making energy policy
Source: Yale Climate Opinion Maps 2024, Pew Research 2025
Current Perspectives from Both Sides
Understanding the full debate requires hearing what each side actually argues—not caricatures or strawmen.
Progressive Perspective
- •Climate change is an existential crisis requiring immediate, massive government action
- •Fossil fuel companies knew about climate change for decades and lied for profit
- •The Green New Deal approach can create millions of jobs while saving the planet
- •Environmental racism means pollution disproportionately harms communities of color
- •We must end fossil fuel subsidies and keep oil and gas in the ground
- •Climate denial is driven by corporate propaganda and must be rejected
Conservative Perspective
- •Climate regulations kill American jobs while China and India pollute freely
- •Green energy mandates raise costs for families and make America less competitive
- •Free market innovation, not government mandates, will develop better energy solutions
- •Climate models have been wrong before and don't justify economic destruction
- •Energy independence through domestic oil and gas protects national security
- •Nuclear power and natural gas are practical alternatives to unreliable renewables
These represent current talking points from each side of the political spectrum. Understanding both perspectives is essential for productive dialogue.
Evidence-Based Facts
Global temperatures have risen approximately 1.1°C since pre-industrial times
Source: NASA Global Climate Change
The U.S. has reduced CO2 emissions by 12% since 2005 while GDP grew
Renewable energy jobs in the U.S. grew to over 3.2 million in 2023
Source: U.S. Department of Energy
Climate-related disasters cost the U.S. over $165 billion in 2022
China produces more CO2 emissions than the U.S., EU, and Japan combined
Source: Global Carbon Project
Learn More
NASA Climate Change Resources
Scientific data and evidence on climate change from NASA
NASA
Citizens' Climate Lobby
Bipartisan grassroots organization advocating for climate solutions
Citizens' Climate Lobby
Resources for the Future
Nonpartisan research on environmental economics and policy
Resources for the Future
Questions for Thoughtful Debate
How fast should the U.S. transition to renewable energy, and who pays for it?
What's the right balance between environmental protection and economic growth?
How do we address climate change when countries like China continue increasing emissions?
Should nuclear power be part of the clean energy solution?
What role should government mandates vs. market incentives play?
How do we help workers in fossil fuel industries transition to new jobs?
What climate policies can gain bipartisan support?