A new study reveals that 89% of people around the world want their governments to take stronger action against climate change. However, most people are unaware that they form part of this overwhelming majority. The research, conducted by Prof.
Teodora Boneva and her team at the University of Bonn, involved 130,000 people in 125 countries. These countries account for 96% of the world’s carbon emissions.
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89% of people globally say they want stronger climate action.
Despite how it might feel, studies are showing that the vast majority of us care about our planet, and want stronger action to protect it.https://t.co/wFStn3wfWJ
— ClientEarth (@ClientEarth) April 27, 2025
In China, 97% said their government should do more to fight the climate crisis, with four out of five willing to give 1% of their income.
In the US, three-quarters of citizens wanted more government action, and almost half were willing to contribute financially. Despite this widespread support, people underestimated their peers’ willingness to act.
"Most people want climate action – but many feel alone in that belief"
🗣️ — @cassie_flynn
A new global campaign – The 89 Percent Project – is spotlighting this “spiral of silence” and showing just how widespread the desire for action is.
👉 Learn more: https://t.co/9ljDJDBUCU pic.twitter.com/PMftN7PhX4
— UNDP Climate (@UNDPClimate) April 29, 2025
More than two-thirds of those polled were willing to give 1% of their income to combat climate change, yet believed only 43% of others would do the same.
The study found that countries with stronger public support for climate action had implemented more climate policies. Correcting these misperceptions could unlock potent, self-reinforcing feedback cycles, triggering social-tipping dynamics. Multiple large studies have shown that the public desire for climate action is both deep and global.
Virtue signalling works, according to Oxford researchers. Writing in The Conversation, Dr Sam Hampton and Dr Tina Fawcett argue that surveys demonstrate consistent support for climate action – but public figures need to lead by example.https://t.co/GWWgi6LIbi
— Oxford Clarion (@OxfordClarion) April 28, 2025
A UN poll in 2024 found that 80% of people in countries representing 90% of the global population wanted their countries to strengthen their climate commitments.
Global support for climate action
Researchers use various tools to ensure the reliability of survey responses, such as comparing answers with real-world behavior.
Polls are rarely wrong by more than 5%, which is not significant when considering the large majorities that support climate action. Politicians, like the public, can also suffer from illusions about the popularity of climate action. Many may wildly underestimate public support for significant climate policies, despite strong evidence to the contrary.
The 89% Project, a new initiative joining forces with dozens of newsrooms around the world, aims to highlight the widespread global demand for climate action. The project seeks to explore who comprises this majority and what obstacles are preventing them from achieving their goals. The first step in empowering the silent climate majority is to give them a voice.
News coverage will begin to articulate the widespread demand for stronger climate action. According to a new study published in PLOS Climate, the lack of media coverage contributes to a negative feedback loop that perpetuates “climate silence.” The study found that “perceived social norms” are the major factor influencing whether or not we have climate conversations. The paper suggested several ways to break through this climate silence: describing why climate change worries you, communicating the reality that most people are concerned about climate change, sharing news articles, and including climate messages in public entertainment.
Margaret Orr, the lead author from George Mason University, emphasized the importance of discussing topics that correlate to more climate conversations. She highlighted the scientific consensus, the fact that a majority of Americans support climate actions, and ways that people’s individual lifestyles could be at risk due to climate change. Orr also mentioned the effectiveness of connecting climate change to everyday observations, making it more relatable and less abstract.
This helps in engaging people in meaningful discussions about the issue.
Image Credits: Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
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