Yale Program on Climate Change Communication

06/10/2026

A recent Inside Climate News article discusses proposed hyperscale data center developments in Indiantown, Florida. The article describes how residents, developers, and local officials are considering questions related to land use, energy demand, water use, local infrastructure, economic development, and community planning.

The article presents the Indiantown proposals as part of a broader trend in which demand for data centers is increasing alongside the growth of cloud computing, artificial intelligence, streaming, and other digital services. As these facilities are proposed in different communities, local discussions may include potential benefits such as investment and tax revenue, as well as questions about environmental resources and long-term planning.

This topic also connects to public views on climate change and future impacts. According to the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, 68% of Americans believe global warming will harm future generations. Together, the article and the survey findings reflect how infrastructure, technology, climate change, and future generations are part of ongoing public discussions concerning data centers.

Sources: https://insideclimatenews.org/news/25052026/florida-indiantown-hyperscale-data-center-proposals/ https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/publications/climate-change-in-the-american-mind-beliefs-attitudes-fall-2025/ Canva

06/09/2026

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), a UN agency, says there is a 91% chance that global temperatures will exceed 1.5°C of warming compared with pre-industrial averages for at least one year between 2026 and 2030. The 1.5°C benchmark was established in 2015 during the UN Paris Climate Agreement, which was designed to create global cooperation to reduce global warming below this threshold. This WMO’s assessment does not mean the Earth is permanently 1.5°C warmer, as meteorologists define global normal temperatures on ten-year averages. However, it does suggest that the Earth is continuing to warm, largely due to the increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere from the burning of fossil fuels. Reducing warming requires the world to burn less fossil fuel. According to YPCCC data, 69% of Americans think that global warming is happening. Another 58% believe that global warming is caused mostly by human activities. You can learn more at: https://earth.org/global-temperatures-likely-to-breach-record-levels-over-next-5-years-wmo-says/

Alternative Text: An image of a forest with a text overlay containing the words, “The World Meteorological Organization predicts that the average global temperature will continue to rise at an accelerated rate over the next five years.”
https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/visualizations-data/ycom-us/

06/09/2026

YPCCC’s Spring 2026 Climate Change in the American Mind: Politics & Policy report is out today Learn what American voters think about climate change and related issues:

This report is based on findings from a nationally representative survey – Climate Change in the American Mind – conducted jointly by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication and the George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication. Interview dates: …

06/08/2026

Energy bills are expected to be 8.5% higher on average this summer compared to last year. Forecasters are predicting one of the hottest summers on record, and the National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA) has warned that Americans will face higher cooling costs as temperatures climb. Nationwide, electricity rates have risen faster than inflation, making it increasingly expensive for families to stay safe and comfortable during extreme heat. The impacts are particularly severe in Southern states, where higher temperatures and greater cooling needs are driving energy expenses even higher.

Voters are taking notice, as 41% of registered voters say they want to hear more from political candidates about efforts to reduce global warming. As household costs and temperatures continue to rise, the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. The question is no longer whether climate change affects Americans. It is how much more they will have to pay as its impacts worsen. https://www.npr.org/2026/05/23/nx-s1-5823767/summer-heat-electric-bills-cost , https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/publications/ypccc-resources-on-2026-primary-elections/

06/06/2026

Rural Virginians are grappling with whether to support or oppose a major transmission line project tied to the state's rapidly expanding data center industry. Often referred to as the "data center capital of the world," Virginia has seen significant growth in data center development in recent years. As these facilities come online, their growing energy demands are contributing to rising electricity costs and increasing pressure on the state's power grid.

At the center of the debate is the ValleyLink transmission project, a proposed 765-kilovolt power line being developed by Dominion Energy, Transource, and FirstEnergy. One segment of the project would span roughly 100 miles through agricultural communities in Virginia. Residents have expressed concerns about the project's potential impacts on farmland, property, and local quality of life, with some communities already pursuing legal action in an effort to halt construction. If completed, the transmission line would connect to new substations and support future energy infrastructure, including a planned nuclear energy facility.

Data centers have increasingly become a focal point in discussions about energy demand, electricity costs, and climate impacts. Communities across the country have raised concerns about the environmental and economic consequences of rapid data center expansion, and rural Virginia is no exception. These debates come as climate and energy policy remain salient political issues, with recent polling showing that 59% of voters prefer candidates who support action on global warming. For many Virginians, the ValleyLink project represents a broader conversation about balancing economic growth, energy reliability, and environmental priorities.

https://insideclimatenews.org/news/26052026/rural-virginia-transmission-line-proposal/ , https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/publications/ypccc-resources-on-2026-primary-elections/

06/05/2026

If you’re curious what people in the U.S. think about climate change, who it’s impacting, and what should be done about it, check out YPCCC’s interactive map. You can see what people in specific states, counties, and even cities think about climate policies. The map draws from verified surveys, giving a nuanced overview of U.S. climate opinions. You can check out the map at:
https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/visualizations-data/ycom-us/

Alternative Text: A map of the United States with a text overlay containing the words, “YPCCC has an interactive map where you can see U.S. voters' opinions on climate at the national, state, and county levels.”

06/02/2026

Portland’s climate fund could be a model for other cities and state governments to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and invest in climate adaptation measures. The fund is paid for by a 1% retail sales tax applied directly to large corporations. The fund has raised roughly $1 billion since its approval in 2018. Beyond helping individual households switch to energy-efficient appliances, the fund has also helped plant trees, create urban gardens, lower energy costs, support renewable energy job training, and fund community nonprofits. According to YPCCC data, 67% of Oregon residents somewhat or strongly support providing tax rebates for people who purchase energy-efficient vehicles or solar panels. You can learn more at: https://www.npr.org/2026/05/20/nx-s1-5734498/portland-funding-climate-change-corporations-retail-tax

Alternative Text: An image of houses with rooftop solar with a text overlay containing the words, “The city of Portland, Oregon has a unique climate fund that helps residents pay for solar and air conditioning units."
https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/visualizations-data/ycom-us/

06/01/2026

Europe is heating up, and it is doing so earlier than expected. A powerful heat wave is sweeping across Western Europe, bringing record-breaking temperatures at the very start of summer. The phenomenon, known as a heat dome, is trapping hot air from North Africa over much of the region. While heat domes are not uncommon, their unusually early arrival is raising concerns about Europe’s preparedness for increasingly extreme weather.

The effects are already being felt. London recently recorded its hottest May day on record, with temperatures reaching nearly 30 degrees Fahrenheit above seasonal averages. Scientists warn that as global temperatures continue to rise, extreme heat events are likely to become more frequent and more intense.

Elsewhere, parts of Spain and France are expected to surpass 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Europe is warming at roughly twice the global average rate, making the continent particularly vulnerable to severe heat. Beyond discomfort, prolonged high temperatures pose significant risks to public health and infrastructure. Recent heat waves have been linked to deaths in France and water shortages in communities across the United Kingdom, highlighting the growing challenges posed by a warming climate. These concerns are reflected in public opinion, with 67% of the UK public saying climate change should be a high priority for the government. https://insideclimatenews.org/news/26052026/todays-climate-early-heat-wave-western-europe/ , https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/publications/variations-in-uk-climate-opinions/

05/31/2026

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has launched a $729 billion plan to double the capacity of the country’s electricity grid by 2050 in response to surging demand from AI data centers, electric vehicle use, and industrial growth. The retirement of coal plants and limited hydroelectric capacity due to droughts has further exacerbated the need for more electricity generation.

The grid will be expanded through investments in clean energy, such as hydroelectricity and nuclear power, with natural gas playing a complementary role. This decision reflects the public’s sentiments as 67% of Canadian residents believe that climate change should be a top government priority.

The strategy also aims to reduce the reliance on trade with the United States due to higher tariffs. Presently, Canada’s regional grids trade more with the US than with each other, and American imports have been increasing annually since 2020. The initiative will use investment tax credits to connect these regional grids through east-west electricity interties.

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/canada-unveils-plan-double-capacity-electricity-grid-by-2050-2026-05-14/

05/30/2026

Microsoft is considering delaying its 2030 commitment of matching its entire hourly electricity ​use with renewable energy purchases due to the push towards energy-intensive data centers, which are used to power AI products like Copilot and Azure. Some data centers are expected to have multiple gigawatts of capacity; for context, one gigawatt can provide electricity to around 750,000 homes.

Nuclear energy and natural gas are expected to power these data centers as they are faster and easier to set up than renewable energy. In fact, Microsoft signed a nuclear power deal with Constellation Energy in 2024.

However, a Microsoft spokesperson clarified that the company is still looking for opportunities to meet its matching target. For example, the firm signed agreements to bring 1.2 gigawatts of carbon-free initiatives (solar, battery, etc.) onto the grid in Wisconsin.

https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/microsoft-may-shelve-2030-clean-energy-target-ai-lifts-power-use-bloomberg-news-2026-05-06/