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.
Search Our Work
Found 294 Results
February 13, 2025
Climate Change in the American Mind: Beliefs and Attitudes, 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 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...