An overwhelming 89% of people worldwide support stronger government action against climate change, according to a landmark survey covering 130,000 people in 125 countries. Yet many believe they are part of a minority, trapped in what experts call a “spiral of silence.”
This misperception—believing few others care about the climate crisis—can suppress conversations and stall progress. Researchers argue that correcting this misunderstanding could unlock a social tipping point, accelerating action by both the public and policymakers.
Willingness to Act Is Much Higher Than People Think
Participants in the global survey were asked whether they would contribute 1% of their household income monthly to fight global warming—and to estimate how many others in their country would do the same. In most countries, people underestimated their peers’ willingness by 20 to 40 percentage points.
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- Global average willing to contribute: 69%
- Global average perception: 43%
Even in high-emission countries like Greece and Gabon, support for action far exceeded what people believed.
Strong Support Even Among Top Polluters
Further analysis revealed that the G20 nations, which produce 77% of the world’s carbon emissions, showed climate concern levels comparable to the rest of the world.
In China, 97% of respondents said their government should do more—one of the highest figures globally. Brazil, Portugal, and Sri Lanka also showed very high levels of support. In the US, 74% supported stronger climate action, although only 48% were willing to financially contribute.
Experts: Shift the Conversation to Unlock Change
“One of the most powerful forms of climate communication is just telling people that a majority of other people think climate change is happening,”
– Prof Anthony Leiserowitz, Yale University
“Currently, worrying about climate change is something people are largely doing in the privacy of their own minds,”
– Prof Cynthia Frantz, Oberlin College
“If you were to unlock the perception gaps, that could move us closer to a social tipping point,”
– Dr Niall McLoughlin, Climate Barometer, UK
These insights suggest that massive untapped support for climate solutions could be mobilized simply by making people aware they’re not alone.
Fossil Fuel Misinformation Has Suppressed Public Will
Researchers point to decades of fossil fuel industry misinformation as a key reason why public backing for climate action has remained subdued, despite being so widespread.
“The world is united in its judgment about climate change and the need to act,”
– Prof Teodora Boneva, University of Bonn
She emphasizes that even a simple correction of public misperceptions could have a major impact.
Public Support Is Not Reflected in Policy Decisions
Despite high public backing, policy responses often fall short. For example:
- In the UK, MPs grossly underestimated public support for onshore wind.
- In the US, 80% of congressional staffers underestimated support for limits on carbon emissions—by as much as 50 percentage points.
These perception gaps among leaders may result in climate policies that are weaker than what the public actually desires.
Behavioral Science Shows Perceptions Matter
There’s growing evidence that correcting people’s mistaken beliefs about others’ opinions can shift attitudes on a wide range of issues—from immigration and gender-based violence to energy conservation. People tend to align with perceived majorities and are more likely to act if they believe others are acting too.
Call for Global Leaders to Rise to the Moment
“People deeply understand we are in a climate emergency,”
– Cassie Flynn, UN Development Programme
The UN’s 2024 People’s Climate Vote found 80% of people globally want stronger action from their governments. Flynn says the new data is a clear mandate for world leaders to act boldly and decisively.
