From the Ballot Box to City Hall, Americans Press Leaders for Bold Climate Action

As Washington retreats from climate and environmental progress, Americans across the political spectrum are pressing leaders at every level of government to step up. A new national survey by ecoAmerica shows that the public appetite for bold climate leadership is strong and increasingly bipartisan, with younger Republicans aged <45 driving the shift.

A Public Demand and Ballot Box Priority

The impact of extreme heat and record-setting wildfires, floods, and hurricanes is impossible to ignore. 76% of Americans agree that the government needs to protect people from the impacts of extreme weather, including 89% of Democrats, 77% of Independents, and 64% of Republicans. Consensus jumps to 78% among Republicans aged under 45, compared to 53% of those 45 and older.

76% also recognize that investing in solutions to climate change will benefit American communities and make our country stronger, a view shared by 90% of Democrats, 72% of Independents, and 66% of Republicans. Among Republicans aged under 45, agreement soars to 83% — a sharp contrast to 54% of their older counterparts aged 45 and above.

And Americans want leaders to act now. Another 76% agree that leaders should act quickly and boldly on climate change to ensure healthy communities for young people and future generations, including 90% of Democrats, 70% of Independents, and 68% of Republicans. For Republicans aged under 45, consensus spikes to 84%.

This urgency carries to the ballot box. Nearly 7 in 10 Americans (67%) say they will vote for leaders who prioritize climate solutions, with Democrats (85%) and younger Republicans aged under 45 (75%) especially motivated.

Americans Say Climate Leadership Means a Healthier, Stronger America

When it comes to climate responsibility, the public is clear: leadership starts at the top. 65% say the federal government should take more responsibility for ensuring Americans have a safe and healthy environment, followed closely by state (61%) and local (54%) governments. Corporations (49%) are expected to act before individuals (44%), indicating that Americans want those with the most power to lead the charge.

And the public sees benefits far beyond the environment. 69% of Americans believe climate action will improve people’s health, with the strongest consensus among Democrats (88%) and younger Republicans aged under 45 (73%). On the economy, more than half (55%) believe climate action will help, including 74% of Democrats and 65% of younger Republicans.

Nation Calls for Decisive Action Now

The findings reflect a political paradox: as the federal government scales back environmental protections, Americans — reeling from relentless climate tragedies — want leaders who deliver solutions. From the ballot box to state capitols to city halls, they are calling for decisive action to protect people, strengthen communities, and build a healthier, more prosperous, resilient future.

“Americans are signaling that climate leadership is no longer optional. It is, increasingly, the price of political relevance.” — Meighen Speiser, Executive Director, ecoAmerica

---

Full data featured in this article is available in the accompanying toplines.

Share these findings on Social Media! Click here for the social toolkit, including:

Methodology
ecoAmerica designed and administered this survey, which was conducted online from June 26 – July 4, 2025, using SurveyMonkey. The survey yielded a total of 1,013 complete adult responses and used the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey to weigh the national general population and reflect the demographic composition of the US. The sample was drawn from an online panel, and the respondents were screened to ensure that they were over the age of 18. The margin of error for the sample is +/-3%. In interpreting the survey results, it is important to note that all sample surveys are subject to possible sampling errors. Thus, the results of a survey may differ from the results that would be obtained if the entire population were interviewed. The sampling error size depends on the total number of respondents in the survey and the percentage distribution of the responses to a particular question. For example, if 50% of the respondents in a sample of 1,013 respondents answered “Yes” to a particular question, we can be 95% confident that the true percentage would fall within 3 points or range from 47% to 53%.

Suggested Citation
Speiser, M., Ishaq, M. (August 2025). American Climate Metrics Survey 2025. Article I. From the Ballot Box to City Hall, Americans Press Leaders for Bold Climate Action. ecoAmerica. Washington, DC.

© 2025 ecoAmerica. The contents of this article may be shared and used under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

For more information, contact us at [email protected].
Subscribe to receive ecoAmerica’s research in your inbox.