A majority of Americans now believe climate change is making extreme weather worse, reflecting a major shift in public opinion after years of record-breaking heat, floods, wildfires and hurricanes.
A new survey by Top Democrat found that 61% of likely U.S. voters believe extreme weather has become more frequent over the past five years. Nearly two-thirds linked climate change to worsening wildfires, droughts and flooding, while heat waves topped the list, with 67% saying climate change is making them more severe.
The findings suggest personal experience may be changing minds. Unlike hurricanes or wildfires, which affect specific regions, extreme heat now reaches nearly every part of the country. Heat also kills more Americans each year than hurricanes, tornadoes and floods combined, making it the deadliest weather-related hazard in the United States.
Support for protecting workers from extreme heat was even stronger than concern about climate change itself. About 88% of respondents said employers should be required to provide basic protections such as drinking water, shade, rest breaks and air conditioning for people working in dangerous heat.
Scientists have long warned that a warming planet increases the likelihood of more frequent and intense heat waves because greenhouse gases trap more heat in Earth’s atmosphere. Warmer temperatures can also dry out vegetation, intensify droughts and increase the atmosphere’s ability to hold moisture, contributing to heavier rainfall and more extreme flooding.
