🌅 Today’s stat: 69%

SOURCE

Andre et al. (2024)

WHAT TO KNOW

• More than two-thirds (69%) of people across 125 countries say they’re willing to contribute 1% of their monthly income to help fight climate change, while even larger shares endorse pro-climate social norms among individuals (86%) and stronger political action from government leaders (89%). The study, which included a globally representative sample of 130,000 respondents, found the share of people willing to contribute 1% of their personal income to fight climate change is greater than 50% in the vast majority of countries (114 of 125), and, in a large number (81), it rises above two-thirds.

WHY IT MATTERS

• While actual support for climate action is high, there's a 26-point gap between the true share of people willing to contribute 1% of their income (69%) and the average perceived share (43%). Put differently: people strongly underestimate their fellow citizens’ willingness to financially contribute to the common good.

CONNECT THE DOTS

• Research shows people consistently underestimate levels of support for climate action (including partisans who oppose climate policies and erroneously believe their fellow voters feel the same), suggesting policymakers should focus on amplifying the vast societal support for climate policies rather than addressing the concerns of the vocal minority standing in opposition. The present study shows the “perception gap” has real consequences, finding a 1-point increase in the perceived share of people willing to contribute 1% of their income was associated with a 0.46-point increase in one’s own willingness to contribute.