Record-breaking heat waves, hurricanes, and wildfires have made the news in recent years. And while not everyone agrees that events like this are a direct result of climate change, do Link to what people are saying about it. A majority of Americans believe the United States needs to address climate change, and those who report experiencing extreme weather are more likely to say we need to do so now.
Views on climate change have long been, and still are, associated with partisanship. But age is also a factor. Young Americans, including young Republicans, are much more likely to say the United States should at least take steps to slow economic growth.
The public is also feeling a sense of urgency from many people. A majority think the problem needs to be addressed within at least the next few years, including half who think it needs to be addressed now.
There is also recognition that we need to address climate change, and that we ~can do.
It extends to the individual level. Most Americans believe that humans can at least do something to slow the effects of climate change, and those who think so feel they have a personal responsibility to do something about climate change.
Extreme weather and climate change
People who report experiencing extreme weather in their region (half of the country) in recent years are more likely than those who do not believe that climate change is a major factor influencing extreme weather, and more of them I think of this problem as follows: Something that needs to be resolved immediately.
And even if people don't experience extreme weather directly, such events can cause concern. When people hear that the Earth is experiencing the warmest temperatures on record, more than half say they become more concerned about climate change. People who do not see climate change as a factor in extreme weather are less convinced by this, including those who do not believe that the Earth's temperature is rising.
Young people and political divisions over climate change
Majorities of all ages favor the U.S. taking action to combat climate change, but those under 45 are especially likely to support the U.S. taking action. Many people say they learned about climate change in school.
There has long been a political divide over addressing climate change, with Democrats expressing more concerns than Republicans. This continues to some extent today. Democrats are more than twice as likely as Republicans to say that climate change needs to be addressed right away. And while Democrats overwhelmingly support the United States taking steps to reduce climate change, Republicans are divided on this.
The GOP's division on climate?
The divisions we see within the general Republican Party are along age and ideological lines. Most younger Republicans (under 45) support the United States taking steps to slow or stop climate change, while most older Republicans do not.
More moderate Republicans also see climate change as more urgent than more conservative Republicans.
And like the general public, Republicans who report experiencing extreme weather in their area are more likely to think climate change needs to be addressed.
This CBS News/YouGov survey was conducted among a nationally representative sample of 2,230 adult U.S. residents interviewed April 16-19, 2024. The sample is from the US Census American Community Survey and Current Population Survey and past polls. The margin of error is ±2.7 points.
top line