Our Research

Mason 4C Research: Activating trusted voices for climate solutions 

Mason 4C is a ‘think-and-do-tank’ that conducts communication research on public understanding of climate change and activates those insights through effective communication programs and trusted voices that increase engagement with climate solutions. Founded in 2007—and based at the Mason Department of Communication in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences—we engage in four broad activities:  

  • Research on audiences, messages, and messengers to identify opportunities to build public understanding and political will for climate solutions;  
  • Building public engagement programs featuring trusted communicators (weathercasters and other journalists, health professionals, and conservatives);  
  • Helping government agencies, civic organizations, professional associations, and industry associations improve their climate communication; and  
  • Training students and working professionals to develop their climate communication skills. 

Current research initiatives: 

  • Climate Change in the American Mind polls—conducted with Yale twice yearly since 2008—are the nation’s most comprehensive resource on public opinion about climate change; they inform decisions made by governments, media, companies, and advocacy organizations. 
  • Research syntheses to identify evidence-based “best practices” for communicating about climate change 
  • Identifying and profiling high-priority “communities of practice” (e.g., doctors, meteorologists, fire chiefs) 
  • Message testing research to develop an effective narrative on climate and human health 
  • Launching soon: The Community Resilience Insights Survey Project (CRISP), an annual survey—in partnership with Fors Marsh—designed to help local, state, and federal government agencies maximize the effectiveness of their climate resilience programs and policies.  

  • Formats

  • Programs

  • Themes

  • Years

Search Our Work

Found 297 Results

January 30, 2025

Climate Change in the American Mind: Politics & Policy, Fall 2024

Report Summary This report is based on findings from a nationally representative survey – Climate Change in the American Mind – conducted jointly by the Yale Pro...

January 23, 2025

Americans’ support for climate justice

Alberto Mazzieri / Climate Visuals Countdown We are pleased to announce the publication of a new article, “Americans’ support for climate justice,” in the journal E...

December 10, 2024

Climate change psychological distress is associated with increased collective climate action in the U.S.

We are pleased to announce the publication of a new article, “Climate change psychological distress is associated with increased collective climate action in the U.S.,” in...

October 18, 2024

Advancing and Integrating U.S. Climate and Health Policies

We are pleased to announce the publication of our new report, Advancing and integrating U.S. climate and health policies: Insights from national policy stakeholders. Policymakers, ...

October 8, 2024

Mason 4C’s Resources on Climate in the 2024 U.S. General Election

2024 is a critically important election year for the climate in the U.S. and around the world. As Election Day nears in the U.S., we are providing a final round-up of our election-...

September 11, 2024

Changes in U.S. voters’ top reasons to reduce global warming

People get involved in climate action for different reasons. Some people want to benefit their community through development of renewable energy resources. Others want to...

August 22, 2024

Chelsea Henderson of Mason 4C’s ‘republicEn’ project authors compelling new climate book

We are pleased to announce the release of a new book, Glacial: The Inside Story of Climate Politics, authored by Chelsea Henderson, director of editorial content at&...

August 7, 2024

Can large language models estimate public opinion about global warming?

We are pleased to announce the publication of a new article, “Can large language models estimate public opinion about global warming? An empirical assessment of algorit...

July 16, 2024

Climate Change in the American Mind: Beliefs & Attitudes, Spring 2024

Report Summary This report is based on findings from a nationally representative survey – Climate Change in the American Mind – conducted jointly by the Yale Program on Clim...

July 10, 2024

Changes in Global Warming’s Six Americas: An analysis of repeat respondents

We are pleased to announce the publication of a new article, “Changes in Global Warming’s Six Americas: An analysis of repeat respondents” in the journal Climatic C...

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