Nine in 10 Americans say they are more concerned about extreme weather events than they were five years ago – and 7 in 10 say climate change has had a role.
Of the possible weather events causing Americans to lose sleep, the top concerns are:
- Extreme heat or cold (54%)
- Tornadoes (40%)
- Floods (39%)
- Hurricanes (33%)
- Earthquakes (31%)
Not surprisingly, the type of weather event that generates the most concern varies by region:
- 54% extreme heat or cold
- Mountain (78%), South Central (60%)
- 40% tornadoes
- North Central (63%), South Central (53%), South Atlantic (44%)
- 39% floods
- Mid-Atlantic (44%), New England (44%), South Atlantic (43%)
- 31% earthquakes
- Pacific (49%), New England (44%), Mid-Atlantic (40%)
Political perspectives do affect perceptions of weather events, as Republicans are less likely to blame climate change for extreme weather (53% of Republicans, 68% NPA, 86% Democrats). However, the heightened level of concern cuts across all political parties – Democrats (95%), NPAs (88%), Republicans (85%) – as well as income levels and age groups.