According to ecoAmerica’s 2021 American Climate Perspectives Survey, increasing portions of Americans are making the connection between human health and climate change. When asked for their top reasons for supporting climate solutions, 76% of respondents chose “Protecting personal and public health”. Other reasons included “Increasing good paying jobs in the US” (71%), “Strengthening resilience in our communities” (53%), “Advancing justice and equity” (48%), and “None of the above” (12%). This trend extends to how Americans get informed about climate issues. The survey found that 68% of Americans trust health professionals for their climate change information in 2021, an increase from 57% in 2015.
Young Americans are especially likely to make the health-climate connection. When asked if climate solutions will benefit their health, 72% of Americans aged 18-29 said yes. This was the largest of any age group, with 64% of Americans overall and 56% of Americans greater than 60 saying yes.
As Americans are increasing their awareness of how climate can affect their health, a greater portion are becoming “Very concerned” about climate change. 46% of Americans say they are “Very concerned” about climate change in 2021, compared to 30% saying the same in 2015.
Read the ecoAmerica’s American Climate Perspectives Survey 2021.
