What happens when you get a bunch of rando Americans together to talk about climate change? Does deliberation with Democrats and Republicans result in a complete mess? Actually no.

In October 2021, 962 Americans deliberated online about climate change and energy in the American in One Room deliberative poll. The results are shocking as we would expect. Massive outrage, outbursts and a complete shit show as Republicans and Democrats engaged in screaming matches against each other.

Actually, no.

What Do Americans Actually Believe in?

Climate Denial

Claim: Americans are idiotic climate change deniers.

Reality: The vast majority of Americans want to protect the environment (94%, 95% of Texans/Californians) and understand the harms of climate change (73%/81% of Texans/Californians).

The Carbon Goals of Americans

Claim: Americans don’t want to reduce carbon usage

Reality: Americans are overwhelmingly in favor of net zero carbon usage by 2050 (65% of Texans, 71% of Californians).

Climate Inconvenience

Claim: Americans don’t want to do anything that inconveniences themselves

Reality: Americans are highly willing to implement policies such as carbon prices (62/64% of Texans/Californians), carbon tariffs (73/79% Texas/California), and investments in nuclear energy (72/77% of Texans/Californians).

A Bipartisan Consensus on Politicians

A bipartisan consensus has also developed on a poor opinion about politicians. Only 15/20% of Texans/Californians agree that public officials care a lot about what the public thinks.

Hot Takes

My hot take is that the American public is a lot more astute than Americans give themselves credit for. Democratic deliberation amongst Americans has produced a clear mandate to combat climate change and eliminate greenhouse emissions.

So don’t believe the pundits. Don’t believe the talking heads on TV. Don’t believe the loud and annoying personalities on social media. Like a lot of issues that Americans face, climate change actually isn’t all that controversial as it’s made out to be. When Americans sit down together to talk it out, it turns out we can solve and face the toughest challenges life throws at us.

Anyways, there are a lot more results and details to these Deliberative Polls available at the Center for Deliberative Democracy. I welcome you to dive deeper into the data.

- John

Creating a Real Democracy

If you find the experiments in deliberative polling and America in One Room interesting, come check out the political logical conclusion of democratic deliberation at https://democracywithoutelections.org/