More Common Ground Than You Think: American Consensus on Climate in 2024

Discussing climate change often evokes diverse emotions and reactions. Yet, amidst perceptions of polarizing attitudes, Americans are finding common ground on the urgent need to protect what we all value the most. Across the country, people unite in their shared responsibility to protect children, ensure clean air and water, and create safe, healthy, and vibrant communities for future generations. Through its regular American Climate Perspectives Surveys (ACPS) and Annual American Climate Metrics Survey (ACMS), ecoAmerica brings forth climate communications and messages that unite us and create promising pathways for collective action. Here’s a year in review of our most compelling findings on American climate sentiment in 2024.

Americans acknowledge their moral responsibility to children and believe in personal rights for all. According to our 2024 ACMS results, most Americans (78%) consider it their moral responsibility to create a safe and healthy climate for themselves and their children. Moreover, a large majority of Americans agree that clean air and water are critical rights for all people and that everyone has a right to clean energy (83% and 80%, respectively). The phrases “their children,” “for all,” and “everyone” in these findings suggest promising pathways to involve a broader diversity of people in climate justice action. A strong consensus on shared values of personal rights and moral responsibility spans demographics.

Americans believe in personal and national agency to address climate change. Our annual ACMS also showed that 70% of Americans believe they can personally help reduce the pollution causing climate change. Additionally, most Americans (64%) agree that investing in climate change solutions will benefit American communities and make our country stronger.

Protecting future generations, health, and safety are top reasons for supporting climate solutions. ecoAmerica’s April ACPS found that most Americans (62%) would support climate solutions to protect the lives of children and future generations. Similarly, 62% would favor climate solutions to protect personal and public health. Moreover, ensuring that everyone is safe from climate change, not just some people, was a reason selected by 60% of respondents, signaling a path forward for justice and equity.

Majorities of Americans expect the United States Environmental Protection Agency to ensure a safe and healthy environment. While national rhetoric might lead people to think otherwise, ecoAmerica’s findings in April also revealed that 80% of Americans nationwide expect the U.S. EPA to ensure that the environment Americans live in is safe for our health. Strong support spans across parties, with 87% of Democrats, 73% of Republicans, and 80% of Independents agreeing.

Most Americans know climate change can affect health and want to hear about climate impacts from health professionals — whom they trust. According to our July report, 70% of Americans have heard climate change can affect health. Awareness extends across party lines and ages. Most Americans (61%) also want to learn how to protect their health from climate effects such as poor air quality, extreme heat, and severe storms. And the good news is that a majority of Americans (69%) trust health professionals for information about the health effects of climate change.

Americans favor clean energy sources like wind, solar, and nuclear over oil, coal, or methane. ecoAmerica’s October report showed that nearly three-quarters of Americans (72%) say wind and solar should receive more research and development (R&D) funding from the United States. Over half (56%) support more R&D funding for next-generation nuclear energy. These findings indicate ripening social conditions for accelerating the transition away from coal, oil, and gas.

Donald Trump’s victory has sparked growing climate concern among all Americans, including his supporters. Our post-election ACPS fielded a day after the U.S. 2024 election, reveals that a majority of Americans nationwide (72%) are now concerned about climate change, with concern notably increased for Republicans (56%, up from 52% in June) and Independents (69%, up from 60% in June). And, despite the President-Elect’s stance on climate, findings reveal that over half of Trump voters (55%) are concerned about climate change, including more than 1 in 5 who are very concerned and nearly a third who are somewhat concerned. When asked whether the U.S. election results have shifted their concern about climate change, 24% of Trump voters report that the U.S. election results have increased their concern about climate.

The above findings illustrate that, despite our differences, Americans share a deep commitment to safeguarding our health, communities, and future generations from the risks of climate change. By focusing on these shared values, we can inspire greater collaboration and meaningful action to create a just and sustainable future. ecoAmerica invites you to join this movement by using these insights to engage your networks, spark conversations, and take steps toward climate solutions that benefit all.

About ecoAmerica
ecoAmerica is a nonprofit moving society toward climate solutions by inspiring and empowering trusted national health, faith, and civic institutions and their millions of stakeholders across America visibly act and advocate. ecoAmerica programs include Climate for Health, Blessed Tomorrow, and Path to Positive, and the One Home One Future and Climate Rx campaigns. Join us in making a difference by donating at ecoAmerica.org/donate.