Fewer Americans see climate change as very serious problem: Survey

Fewer Americans today see climate change as a “very serious” problem than they did three years ago, according to a new survey released Monday.

The Monmouth University poll, conducted on April 18-22 shows a 10-point decline in Americans who says climate change is a “very serious” problem, falling from 56 percent in September 2021 to 46 percent in April.

The decline was less steep overall – with 66 percent describing climate change as a problem that’s either “very serious” or “somewhat serious.” That’s down from 2021, when 70 percent of respondents described the climate change problem as either “very serious” or “somewhat serious.”

Patrick Murray, director of the independent Monmouth University Polling Institute, attributed this trend to a decline in urgency among Americans.

“Most Americans continue to believe climate change is real. The difference in these latest poll results is a decline in a sense of urgency around this issue,” Murray said.

The decline in urgency can be seen most acutely among young people – who have historically viewed climate change as a “very serious” problem at significantly higher rates than other age groups.

Among adults ages 18-34, there was a 17-point drop over the last three years in those calling climate change a “very serious” problem. Sixty-seven percent in this age group said climate change was a very serious problem in 2021, compared to 50 percent this year.

Adults ages 35-54 saw a 4-point decline in those thinking climate change is a “very serious” problem, from 48 percent to 44 percent, while adults ages 55 and older saw a 10-point decline, from 54 percent to 44 percent.

The poll shows the trend extends to Democrats and Republicans.

Today, 77 percent of Democrats describe climate change as a “very serious” problem, down 8 points from 2021.

Thirteen percent of Republicans say climate change is a “very serious” problem, down from 21 percent in 2021.

Among independents, 43 percent say climate change is a “very serious” problem – down 13 points from 2021.

Meanwhile, the share of Americans who say climate change is not happening has ticked up slightly, from 18 percent in September 2021 to 23 percent in April 2024.

The poll included 808 adults and was conducted using phone interviews and online surveys. The margin for error is +/-4.1 percentage points.