Monmouth Poll Shows Declining Concern Over Climate Change Among Americans

A recent survey from Monmouth University has revealed a decrease in the number of Americans who see climate change as a "very serious" issue. Conducted from April 18-22, the poll found that only 46% of respondents considered climate change to be "very serious," down 10 points from 56% in September 2021.

The overall concern about climate change has also declined, with 66% of Americans describing the issue as either "very serious" or "somewhat serious," compared to 70% in 2021. Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute, attributed the decline in concern to a decrease in the urgency Americans feel about the issue.

The most notable change was among young people, who have traditionally viewed climate change as a "very serious" problem at higher rates than other age groups. In the 18-34 age range, there was a 17-point decrease in those who consider climate change a very serious issue. This percentage dropped from 67% in 2021 to 50% this year.

Adults aged 35-54 saw a 4-point decline, while adults aged 55 and older experienced a 10-point drop. The trend was observed across political affiliations, with 77% of Democrats viewing climate change as a "very serious" problem (an 8-point drop from 2021), 13% of Republicans (down 8 points), and 43% of independents (down 13 points).

Simultaneously, the proportion of Americans who believe climate change is not occurring at all has slightly increased from 18% in 2021 to 23% in April 2024.

The poll surveyed 808 adults using phone interviews and online surveys, with a margin of error of +/-4.1 percentage points.

The findings are striking given that April continued an 11th consecutive month of record-breaking global heat, underscoring the unprecedented challenges humans face as a result of climate change. This year, the 12-month running average surpassed the 1.5°C threshold for the first time. Climate scientists prioritize this metric over monthly records, as individual monthly variations can be influenced by temporary factors.

Last month, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).reported that levels of critical heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere surged to unprecedented highs last year, escalating at nearly record-breaking rates. The surge in greenhouse gas emissions coincides with growing efforts to combat climate change, including global initiatives to reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas industry. However, despite these efforts, recent studies indicate that methane emissions may be vastly underestimated, highlighting the need for more robust monitoring and mitigation strategies.

In March, the United Nations' weather agency raised a “red alert” concerning global warming, citing alarming increases in greenhouse gases, land and water temperatures, and the rapid melting of glaciers and sea ice. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), these developments underscore the inadequacy of global efforts to address climate change effectively.

In its "State of the Global Climate" report, the WMO expressed deep concern that the world is dangerously close to surpassing the crucial goal of limiting planetary warming to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels, as outlined in the Paris Agreement on climate change.