The Hoosier Life Survey: How Do Rural Hoosiers View Climate Change? Insights Toward Engagement and Policy Design

Abstract

The Hoosier Life Survey (HLS) is the nation’s most comprehensive statewide public-opinion survey of environmental change to date. The HLS addresses how environmental changes—particularly extreme weather events—are perceived, how they affect people in their homes and towns, what Hoosiers are doing about it, and what they expect for the future.

This report aims to offer key introductory insight into how rural Hoosiers perceive climate change—their beliefs about the phenomenon and their concern about its’ impact on their lives and community. Through outlining rural Hoosiers’ perceptions of this critical topic, our aim is to provide critical fodder for the design of future engagement efforts and ultimately toward crafting more effective policy.