A recent survey by The Associated Press and the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research reveals a disconnect between Americans’ personal experiences with extreme heat and their beliefs about climate change. The poll of 1,165 respondents conducted in late July found that 66 percent of adults believe climate change is occurring, down from 73 percent in September 2025.
Despite declining climate belief, a growing majority of Americans report that extreme heat is directly affecting their daily lives. Thirty percent of respondents said intense heat significantly impacted outdoor activities, an increase from 21 percent a year earlier. Travel and vacation disruptions jumped from 8 to 15 percent, while exercise routines, sleep patterns, and commutes also showed increased heat-related interference. The impacts were particularly pronounced in western states, where 35 percent experienced major outdoor activity disruptions.
Energy costs have emerged as another pressing concern for households nationwide. Approximately 81 percent of survey participants reported that their electricity bills have been affected by extreme heat over the past year, up from 69 percent in July 2024. Experts warn that continued heat waves pose risks to infrastructure, agriculture, and public health, with heat-related deaths reaching a 45-year high in 2023.
Regional and political differences also emerged in the survey data. Midwest and West Coast residents reported greater heat impacts, while Democratic respondents were more likely than Republicans to cite heat’s effect on their plans. Climatologists estimate that roughly 60 percent of the United States currently faces drought conditions.
Originally reported by Aljazeera →
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