FILE - Pumpjacks dip their heads to extract oil in a basin south of Duchesne, Utah on July 13, 2023. In a survey of American sentiments relating to climate change, only 37% said they “personally care a great deal about the issue of climate change.” That number is less than it was in 2018 and identical to when Pew first asked the question in 2016.
The number of Americans who say they care “some” about the climate is also down from 38% in 2016 to 35% in 2023.Other trends represented by the research show decreasing interest in the issue of climate change overall. Just 21% of U.S. adults admitted to participating in climate activism, a figure that decreased 3 points since 2021. Americans are also more skeptical toward climate activism, as just 28% said it builds public support or encourages elected officials to act.
Americans are also less supportive of people and groups who push for action on climate change, as 53% admitted to feeling suspicious of these individuals. Partisan politics overall played a significant role in the data, as the majority of Democrats said they think human activity is responsible for climate change, whereas only 19% of Republicans held the same view. Republicans more often felt human activities did not contribute to climate change.Democrats continue to hone in on climate change as a major political issue. In July, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton“MAGA” Republicans were to blame for record temperatures this summer.