Shocking Survey Reveals 48% of People See Global Warming as an Urgent Threat: Here’s What You Need to Know

In a recent survey, a record-breaking 48% of U.S. adults believe global warming will seriously threaten their lives. This is a noticeable increase from 44% last year and marks a rise from just 25% in 1997. This change comes in the wake of harsh weather events, like the wildfires in California and severe flooding linked to Hurricane Helene, which have impacted many across the country.

According to the Gallup March survey, 63% of Americans think the effects of climate change have already started. This number is up from 59% last year, matching the 62% high seen in 2017. With more people recognizing the immediate effects, only 23% think these impacts will be seen in the future, while a steadfast 12% believe climate change will never affect us.

Interestingly, concern about global warming remains steady. Currently, 40% of adults worry a lot about it, while 23% worry moderately. Combined, that’s 63%, consistent with past years, despite fluctuations over time. Notably, the lowest level of concern recorded was 50% in 1997, compared to a high of 72% in 2000.

The survey also highlighted a consistent belief regarding the causes of rising temperatures. About 62% of people attribute global warming mainly to human activity, while 34% think it’s due to natural causes.

On the media’s portrayal of climate change, the survey revealed that a growing number of Americans feel the seriousness of the issue is exaggerated. The percentage of people who believe the media is overstating the issue has risen to 41%, the highest since 2015. Conversely, 38% think the media is downplaying the problem, while 20% feel the coverage is generally accurate.

The survey indicates notable shifts in perception among different political groups. More Democrats and independents now recognize the immediate impacts of climate change, with 91% of Democrats expressing this belief, a nine-point increase. In contrast, the view among Republicans has decreased to 31%. Despite this, the rising concern among Democrats and independents has led to overall increased awareness about the threat of global warming in the U.S.

When examining environmental concerns as a whole, global warming ranks lower compared to other issues like air and water pollution. While 63% of Americans express some worry about climate change, much higher percentages are concerned about pollution—80% worry about drinking water contamination, for instance. Additionally, 24% of individuals say they are not worried at all about climate change, the highest of any environmental concern.

In summary, more Americans are acknowledging the impacts of climate change than in previous years. However, the overall level of personal concern remains steady, and many still view climate change as a remote problem rather than an immediate threat. This could be due to the fact that, despite significant environmental events, fewer than 40% of people have been directly affected, making climate change feel abstract for many.

These trends are important as they shape public policy and individual actions regarding climate change. For ongoing insights, you can explore updates from Gallup on their [website](https://www.gallup.com/home.aspx).

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