Belief in human-driven climate change has remained fairly consistent over time— with a slight increase in belief among Republicans driven by Republicans under 45
Belief that climate change is driven primarily by human activities has been a fairly consistent sentiment over the last nine years. Though a majority of Democrats said they believed in human-driven climate change, just about a third of Republicans said the same. That said, belief among Republicans has increased over time, driven by Republicans under age 45.
Most Americans have experienced a climate event and a third saw their insurance costs rise as a result
Ninety-four percent of Americans experienced extreme climate events like unusually hot days, drought, wildfires and poor air quality in the past year. About one third of Americans saw their insurance costs rise as a result of a climate event. Those who experienced a climate event are twice as likely as those who have not to have purchased additional or separate insurance coverage specifically for extreme weather. Fifty-nine percent of those living in the Pacific have experienced wildfires in the past 12 months, and about half of those living in the South Atlantic experienced severe storms. About 4 in 10 of those in the Pacific and South Atlantic have experienced an increase in insurance premiums or deductibles because of extreme weather.
More Americans who have experienced climate events believe in climate change and the need for policy action
Americans who have personal experience with climate events are more likely to believe in climate change, and this gap has increased over time. In 2023, there was a 19-percentage point difference in climate change belief between those who had and those who hadn’t experienced climate events. This year, the gap was 34 percentage points. About 8 in 10 or more who experienced extreme weather believe that climate change was a contributing factor, and about half or more think it was a major factor. Those who experienced extreme weather are also more likely to believe the federal government should combat climate change, as well as to support regulations to reduce emissions and funding to help communities adapt to climate change.