Climate change is the result of human behavior and choices. Solving the problem requires changing us - lots of us - as well as changing the policies that contribute to the problem. Our research center was created to conduct unbiased social science research that will facilitate such changes.

We use social science research methods – experiments, surveys, in-depth interviews and other methods – to find ways of effectively engaging the public and policy makers in becoming part of the solution. Changing people’s behavior – as consumers and as citizens – is notoriously difficult, but many social change campaigns have been wildly successful. Consider, for example, the declines in smoking and littering, and the increases in seat belt use and recycling over the past few decades. Social science research played important roles in all of these successes.

Our mission is to conduct unbiased public engagement research - and to help government agencies, non-profit organizations, and companies apply the results of this research - so that collectively, we can stabilize our planet's life sustaining climate. Download a copy of our brochure.  

NEW! We are pleased to announce the release of our latest report - Global Warming's Six Americas 2009 . Based on a nationally representative survey of 2,164 American adults conducted last fall, this report updates and significantly extends our earlier report titled Global Warming's Six Americas. In this report, we identify and profile six distinct groups of Americans based on their climate change beliefs, attitudes, risk perceptions, policy preferences, behaviors, barriers to action, motivations, and values. We invite you to download and read the full report , the Yale/Mason Six Americas 2009 Questionnaire , and the Briefing for the Congressional Committee on Science and Technology