Most Americans say the world's climate is changing and nearly half think they will see catastrophic effects of climate change during their lifetimes. Majorities say the U.S. should do more to address climate change, should increase or keep current environmental regulations, and should use more solar and wind energy. More Americans say stricter environmental standards would help the U.S. economy than say stricter standards would hurt it.
What you need to know about Americans' views on climate change and the environment, as of the February 13 - 16, 2026 Economist / YouGov Poll:
- A majority (59%) of Americans believe that the world's climate is changing as a result of human activity. A further 22% say the climate is changing but not because of human activity. Only 6% say the climate is not changing
- Nearly half (45%) of Americans think they will see catastrophic impacts of climate change in their lifetimes. About one-third (31%) do not think they will see catastrophic effects, with the remaining 24% not sure
- A majority (57%) of Americans say the U.S. should do more to address climate change. Only 16% say that the U.S. should do less
- Most Democrats (90%) and a majority (58%) of Independents say the U.S. should do more to address climate change. Republicans are more divided: 25% say the U.S. should do more, 29% say it should not change what it's doing, and 33% say it should do less
- Younger adults are more likely than older Americans to say the U.S. should do more to address climate change
- Americans are more likely to say government regulation should be increased than to say it should be decreased in each of four areas included in our survey
- A majority (58%) of Americans support increasing regulation of wildlife habits
- Support for increased regulations on oil drilling (46%), greenhouse gas emissions (42%), and pesticides (41%) is a bit lower, but greater than support for decreasing regulations on each
- More Americans say that stricter environmental standards would help the U.S. economy than say they would hurt it (40% vs. 22%)
- Majorities of Americans say the U.S. should use more solar energy (64%) and wind energy (57%)
- More Americans would decrease than increase U.S. usage of energy from gas (33% vs. 19%) and coal (46% vs. 17%)
- Opinions about nuclear energy are split: 29% say the U.S. should use less nuclear energy while 30% say it should use more
Image: Getty (Jon Cherry / Stringer)
What do you really think about President Trump, American politics in general, and everything else? Share your reality, join the YouGov panel, and get paid to share your thoughts. Sign up here.
