Exploratory Geovisualization of the Character and Distribution of American Climate Change Beliefs

Abstract Americans remain polarized about climate change. However, recent scholarship reveals a plurality of change opinions among the public, with nontrivial support for range awareness, risk perceptions, and policy prescriptions. This study uses publicly available opinion estimates to examine geographic variability American maps them as regions that share similarities or differences in character their beliefs. The exploratory geovisual environment self-organizing map is used compare 56 different across all counties United States arrange into spatially coherent grid nodes. To facilitate exploration patterns, statistical cluster analysis groups together most similar Choropleth visualize clustering results from map. finds six beliefs which member exhibit distinct regionality magnitude specific opinions. Groups generally high low levels prescriptions vary relative provide nuanced understanding types where they exist geographically.