Extreme Heat Grips Nation, Spiking Concern about Health, Climate, and Cuts to FEMA and NOAA

This summer, Americans aren’t just sweating — they’re sounding the alarm. A new national poll from ecoAmerica reveals overwhelming concern about skyrocketing temperatures, extreme weather, the toll heat is taking on people’s health, and cuts to FEMA and NOAA amidst it all.

More than 8 in 10 Americans say extreme heat has increased their concern about climate change. Nearly 9 in 10 recognize that extreme heat impacts people’s health. More Americans — especially Republicans — are also making the connection between extreme weather and climate change. And as the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina approaches, majorities across political lines (79%) express increased concern about the government’s ability to protect people from climate impacts amid proposed cuts to FEMA and NOAA.

“Americans are connecting extreme heat to climate change, their health, and government inaction,” said Meighen Speiser, Executive Director, ecoAmerica. “These findings show it’s time to drop partisan politics and rather meet this moment with urgency, leadership, and protection.”

Extreme Heat is Sparking Climate Concern

Extreme heat is making people uncomfortable, including in their feelings about climate change. ecoAmerica’s latest poll finds that a sweeping 86% of Americans say increased temperatures, leading to heat waves and extreme heat, have made them more concerned about climate change, with over half (54%) saying they’re “a lot” more concerned. The concern cuts across party lines, with overwhelming majorities of Democrats (97%), Independents (83%), and Republicans (79%) expressing heightened concern.

Across ages, heat-fueled concern ranges from 95% among young adults to 70% among older adults (65 and above). While this trend hints at a generational gap, majorities across all age categories still express being more concerned about climate due to extreme heat. Similarly, concern remains high (>84%) across genders and ethnic groups.¹ The message is clear: no matter their politics, age, gender, or ethnicity, Americans are feeling the heat and a spike in climate concern.

Americans See Extreme Heat as a Serious Health Risk

Amidst this summer’s scorching reality, Americans are making the heat and health connection. 89% of Americans say heat waves and extreme heat affect people’s health, with nearly 3 in 5 Americans (58%) saying it affects people’s health “a lot.” Awareness bridges political divides, with 96% of Democrats, 85% of Independents, and 85% of Republicans recognizing the impact of extreme heat on people’s health. And strong majorities — spanning age groups, genders, and racial and ethnic communities — likewise understand that heat is affecting people’s health (see full toplines).

Americans Connect Extreme Weather to Climate Change — GOP Recognition Surges 17 Points

Americans aren’t just worried about extreme heat; they’re connecting the dots to climate. 82% now say climate change is driving more extreme weather events, from heat waves to wildfires and hurricanes — up 6 points since ecoAmerica’s 2021 poll. Recognition is high across party lines, including 91% of Democrats, 80% of Independents, and 75% of Republicans. The biggest shift is among Republicans: recognition that climate change is driving extreme weather has jumped 17 points in four years (to 75% in 2025, up from 58% in 2021). It clearly signals that the climate reality is breaking through partisan lines.

FEMA, NOAA Cuts Ignite Concern About Government’s Ability to Protect Americans Amid Extreme Weather

As extreme weather hits the US, calls from the highest levels of government to cut FEMA and NOAA are raising alarm. ecoAmerica finds that strong majorities of Americans are increasingly concerned about how these cuts will impact the government’s ability to protect its people. Nearly 8 in 10 (79%) are more concerned about the government’s ability to protect people from climate impacts, including 47% who are “much more” concerned. Spikes in concern span political affiliation: 92% of Democrats, 76% of Independents, and 69% Republicans express increased concern.

What This Means

From every corner of the country, Americans are feeling the heat — and they’re connecting the dots. Extreme weather and rising temperatures have made climate change personal, fueling overwhelming concern and a united call for action. As leaders consider cuts to FEMA and NOAA, the message from Americans across political affiliations is clear: now is the time to protect people, not pull back.

¹ See full toplines for data trends across all demographic categories.

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

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Methodology
ecoAmerica designed and administered this survey, which was conducted online from June 10 – 13, 2025, using SurveyMonkey. The survey yielded a total of 1,181 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 1,181 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. (July 2025). American Climate Perspectives Survey 2025. Vol III. Extreme Heat Grips Nation, Spiking Concern about Health, Climate, and Cuts to FEMA and NOAA. ecoAmerica. Washington, DC.

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

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