We surveyed Chicagoans to determine their climate beliefs and values - and compared those results to Americans' broader climate values. The results may surprise you!

1. American Climate Metrics Survey 2016
Chicago

2. Chicagoans believe in and are concerned about climate
change. They are more likely to be concerned about
climate change than other U.S. citizens.
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 Chicago | 2

3. Chicagoans believe climate change is happening:
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 Chicago | 3
Chicago
2016
84% 83%
United States
2016

4. American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 Chicago | 4
believe climate change is happening due to
either human activities or
a combination of human and natural causes
82%
81%
U.S. 2016
82%
CH‫ا‬CAGO 2015
CHӏCAGO 2016

5. Chicagoans have increasing concern about climate change:
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 Chicago | 5
are concerned about climate change
78%CHӏCAGO 2016
76%
U.S. 2016
76%
CH‫ا‬CAGO 2015

6. Chicagoans feel climate impacts at slightly higher rates
than do Americans nationally.
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 Chicago | 6

7. Chicagoans notice climate impacts:
notice more severe weather and
changing seasonal weather patterns where they live
78%
U.S. 2016
81%CHӏCAGO 2016
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 Chicago | 7

8. Chicagoans feel personally affected by:
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 Chicago | 8
42% 41%56% 40%
Record heat waves
during summer
Increased rates of
breathing problems,
asthma
More frequent and
severe droughts
Increased flooding
66%CHӏCAGO 2016
51%CHӏCAGO 2016
44%CHӏCAGO 2016
46%CHӏCAGO 2016
67% 51% 48% 40%
U.S. 2016 (%) CHlCAGO 2015 (%)

9. Chicagoans have strong climate values, however
these have dipped down slightly versus 2015 and
the U.S. population as a whole.
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 Chicago | 9

10. Chicagoans' climate values:
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 Chicago | 10
say clean water is a
critical right for all people
86%CHӏCAGO 2016
90%
U.S. 2016
90%
CH‫ا‬CAGO 2015
87%
U.S. 2016
89%
CH‫ا‬CAGO 2015
say we have a moral responsibility
to create a safe and healthy climate
for ourselves and our children
85%CHӏCAGO 2016

11. Chicagoans are hopeful we can reduce the pollution
that causes climate change, but pessimistic about
government's ability to agree on how to do it.
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 Chicago | 11

12. American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 Chicago | 12
Chicagoans believe we can address climate change:
81%
U.S. 2016
83%
CH‫ا‬CAGO 2015
are hopeful that we can
reduce the pollution that is
causing climate change
81%CHӏCAGO 2016
74%
U.S. 2016
73%
CH‫ا‬CAGO 2015
say we could address climate change
effectively, but our government is broken
and cannot agree on how to do it
71%CHӏCAGO 2016

13. American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 Chicago | 13
federal government is
most likely to advance solutions
on climate change
41%CHӏCAGO 2016
31%
U.S. 2016
45%
U.S. 2016
private sector is most
likely to advance solutions on
climate change
34%CHӏCAGO 2016
Chicagoans believe we can address climate change with slightly more faith in the federal
government over the private sector.

14. Chicagoans strongly support clean energy and a pollution
fee on companies responsible for greenhouse gas
emissions.
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 Chicago | 14

15. How much more should the United States be producing energy from each source as
it is today?
8889
58 61
4240 3737
CH‫ا‬CAGO 2016 (%) U.S. 2016 (%)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Wind and Solar Natural gas Oil Coal
3027
Nuclear
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 Chicago | 15

16. American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 Chicago | 16
favor a proposal to reduce climate change
pollution by charging large companies a fee for
the pollution they create
82%CHӏCAGO 2016
77%
U.S. 2016
55%
U.S. 2016
strongly favor
62%CHӏCAGO 2016

17. Chicagoans recognize the benefits climate solutions will
bring to their health, the economy, and jobs.
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 Chicago | 17

18. If the United States took steps to prevent future climate change, it would:
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 Chicago | 18
67
72
6665
56
60
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Improve health Increase jobsImprove the
economy
CH‫ا‬CAGO 2016 (%) U.S. 2016 (%)

19. Chicagoans want their city to prepare for climate change,
but there is room for improvement in educating them
how Chicago is already addressing climate change.
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 Chicago | 19

20. American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 Chicago | 20
Citizens agree:
I want my city to prepare for the impacts of
climate change
74%
CHӏCAGO 2016 U.S. 2016
78%

21. American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 Chicago | 21
Citizens believe their city:
is taking action to
conserve energy
is preparing for the
impacts of
climate change
has a program
to engage people to
talk about
climate change
has a program
to address
climate change
34%
CH‫ا‬CAGO 2016
32%
U.S. 2016
21%
CH‫ا‬CAGO 2016
21%
U.S. 2016
18%
CH‫ا‬CAGO 2016
18%
U.S. 2016
18%
CH‫ا‬CAGO 2016
12%
U.S. 2016

22. Chicagoans believe they personally must act on climate
today.
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 Chicago | 22

23. American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 Chicago | 23
agree we need to take action now to reduce
the pollution that is causing climate change
79%CHӏCAGO 2016
80%
U.S. 2016
84%
CH‫ا‬CAGO 2015
56%Strongly agree CHӏCAGO 2016
59%Strongly agree U.S. 2016
agree I need to take action now to reduce
the pollution that is causing climate change
73%CHӏCAGO 2016
73%
U.S. 2016
74%
CH‫ا‬CAGO 2015
39%Strongly agree CHӏCAGO 2016
41%Strongly agree U.S. 2016

24. Chicagoans exhibit relatively strong climate-friendly
behaviors, including voting for candidates based on
his/her support for taking action on climate.
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 Chicago | 24

25. American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 Chicago | 25
have shifted toward a more energy
efficient form of transportation
like public transport, hybrid cars,
bikes, or walking
48%CHӏCAGO 2016
35%
U.S. 2016
40%
CH‫ا‬CAGO 2015
voted for a candidate based on
his/her support for taking action on
climate change
38%CHӏCAGO 2016
34%
U.S. 2016
30%
CH‫ا‬CAGO 2015
Chicagoans have strong climate-friendly behaviors:

26. Chicagoans trust many messengers for climate
information - but they trust scientists and health
professionals the most.
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 Chicago | 26

27. Chicagoans trust climate change messengers:
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 Chicago | 27
President Obama
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
79
74
Scientists
75
6467
60
41
49
34
6264 63
Environmental
organizations
Media, TV news
and internet
38
46
36
Health professionals
CH‫ا‬CAGO 2016 (%) U.S. 2016 (%) CH‫ا‬CAGO 2015 (%)

28. ecoAmerica builds a critical mass of institutional leadership,
public support and political will for definitive climate solutions in the United States.
Learn more at ecoAmerica.org
Thank you!