Abstract

We empirically examined citizen views on climate change in China and the United States, including an analysis of factors affecting public support for joining an international climate change treaty. We conducted face-to-face intercept surveys of Chinese adults (N=2,047) and online surveys of American adults (N=1,306) between September and November 2013. Overall, Chinese adults were more likely to accept the realities of anthropogenic climate change. Although a supermajority of respondents in both countries support an international climate treaty, support for such action was significantly greater among Chinese respondents compared to Americans. Additionally, a variety of variables reflecting climate change views, including awareness and understanding, were positively correlated with support for a climate treaty in both countries. All else being equal, we also found that more exposure to media content on climate change increased support for a treaty. Lastly, political affiliation was found to have an important influence on support for an international climate treaty in the United States.