Key facts
- 61% of likely US voters believe extreme weather events have become more frequent over the past five years.
- Heatwaves are most strongly linked to climate change, with 67% of voters saying so.
- 88% of participants favor policies requiring employers to provide heat protections for outdoor workers.
- The poll indicates that attempts to polarize climate concerns may not be fully succeeding.
A majority of Americans are connecting increasingly severe weather events to the climate crisis, according to new polling from Data for Progress. The survey found that 61% of likely voters believe extreme weather has become more frequent over the past five years, a sentiment shared by significant portions of Democrats, Independents, and Republicans.
Heatwaves were most frequently linked to climate change, with 67% of voters agreeing they are being worsened by it, including 48% of Republicans. This finding is consistent with previous research from Yale University, which also indicates a growing public concern about extreme weather and its connection to climate change.
Beyond acknowledging the link, the poll also revealed strong support for climate justice-focused measures, particularly concerning worker protections. Approximately 88% of participants favor policies requiring employers to provide heat protections, such as access to water, shade, breaks, and air conditioning, for outdoor workers. This broad support transcends partisan divides, with only 7% opposing such policies.
Experts suggest that focusing on extreme heat could serve as an effective entry point for broader conversations about climate intervention and policy, potentially bridging partisan divides on the issue. Despite the public's growing awareness of extreme weather's link to climate change, some research indicates a misconception persists, with a portion of Americans still believing warming is primarily due to natural cycles.