AP-NORC survey: Many in the US doubt their own impact on climate

WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans are less concerned now about how climate change might affect them personally, and how their personal choices affect the climate, than they were three years ago, a new poll shows, even as a vast majority still believe climate change climate is happening.

The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research’s June poll, conducted before Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act on Friday, shows that most American adults think the government and corporations have an important responsibility in addressing climate change. The new law will spend nearly $375 billion on climate strategies over the next decade.

Overall, 35% of US adults say they are “extremely” or “very” concerned about the impact of climate change on them personally, up from 44% in August 2019. Another third say they are somewhat worried. Only around half say their actions have an effect on climate change, compared to two-thirds in 2019.

Black and Hispanic Americans, women, and Democrats are especially likely to be highly concerned about the impact of climate change on them personally and how their personal choices affect the climate.

Many climate scientists told The Associated Press the changes are worrying but not surprising as people feel overwhelmed by a variety of problems, now including an economy plagued by inflation after more than two years of the pandemic. In addition to being overtaken by other problemsclimate change or the environment are mentioned as priorities by fewer Americans now than they were a few years ago, according to the survey.

Diane Panicucci in West Warwick, Rhode Island, believes climate change is happening and needs to be addressed. But for her, it’s a lower priority compared to other issues, like inflation and food and drug costs.

“There is so much unrest in this country right now,” the 62-year-old said. “People are suffering.”

Panicucci added solar panels to his house and has reduced the time he drives. She thinks people should do what they’re told will help, but “it doesn’t start with a little me. It has to be on a larger scale,” she said.

While the climate crisis will require an “all of the above approach,” it’s “reasonable” that people don’t feel like they have the bandwidth to tackle climate action “on top of everything else,” said Kim Cobb, director of the Institute. at Brown University for Environment and Society.

Roughly two-thirds of Americans say that the US federal government, developed countries abroad, and corporations and industries have a great responsibility to address climate change. Less, 45%, say that of individual people.

Jack Hermanson, a 23-year-old software engineer, firmly believes that corporations are the “main culprits” behind emissions and that the government is complicit in their behavior.

“I don’t know if it makes sense to say that people should have to work and fix the weather,” the Denver resident said. “I would say that my individual actions hardly mean anything.”

Greenhouse gas emissions from American homes are not as high as those from cars, trucks and other transportation, electric power generation, and industry. A 2020 University of Michigan study of 93 million US households estimates that 20% of US greenhouse gas emissions come from home energy use, with per capita footprints of the richest Americans about 25% higher than those of low-income residents.

But like many others who spoke to the AP, that difference hasn’t stopped Hermanson from trying. He has been a vegetarian for four years and tries to ride a bike or public transport, buy products with less packaging and recycle.

Among Americans who believe in climate change, 70% say it will take people to make major lifestyle changes to combat the problem. Most think that individuals have at least some responsibility.

People may believe they personally have no direct impact while recognizing that collective action is essential to combating climate change, said Shahzeen Attari, who studies human behavior and climate change at Indiana University.

The survey shows that about 6 in 10 Americans say they have cut back on their driving, reduced their use of heating or air conditioning, and bought used products instead of new. Nearly three-quarters use energy-saving appliances. Among those taking those steps, most say the main reason is to save money, rather than help the environment.

Fewer, about a quarter, say they use an electricity provider that gets power from renewable sources, and only 1 in 10 lives in a home with solar panels or drives a hybrid or electric car.

Brad Machincia, a 38-year-old welder, said he wouldn’t trade his gas car for an electric one. While he said he grew up in a West Virginia home that used renewable energy sources, he hasn’t adopted those practices for his family in Christiansburg, Virginia. Climate change used to be a concern for him, but at this point, he feels like he’s “beating a dead horse.”

“There is nothing we can do to fix it,” he said.

People need to feel empowered to make climate-driven decisions that not only help reduce emissions but also improve their lives, said Jonathan Foley, executive director of Project Drawdown, a climate nonprofit. Foley believes the findings show that efforts to engage Americans need to move away from doomsday scenariosinclude diverse messengers and focus on ways that climate solutions can intersect with other priorities of Americans.

Julio Carmona, a 37-year-old financial employee, said he recently transitioned his Bridgeport, Connecticut, home to solar power because the switch will help reduce his carbon footprint and expenses, albeit modestly.

“I thought that was a smart thing for us to do long term,” he said. “I just wanted to do my part, whether it makes a difference or not.”

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AP science reporter Seth Borenstein in Washington contributed to this report.

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The survey of 1,053 adults was conducted June 23-27 using a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the US population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 4 percentage points.

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Associated Press climate and environment coverage is supported by several private foundations. See more about the AP climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

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