Environment and Energy

Nearly four in 10 Americans say extreme weather damaged their community in the past year, and six in 10 of them worry about future impacts.

Reduced majorities of Americans support greater emphasis on solar and wind energy, while backing for nuclear power has increased.

Ahead of Earth Day, Gallup data show the world feels more positive about efforts to preserve the environment than at any point in the past 20 years.

A record-low 35% of Americans rate the environment's quality positively. Most say it is worsening, and the public wants the government to do more.

Gallup polling that began after the start of the Iran war shows no significant increase in Americans' energy concerns.

Fifty-seven percent of Americans, up from 50% a year ago, say the U.S. is doing too little to protect the environment. Democrats are largely responsible for the increase.

After recent climate-related disasters, more Americans now think global warming will pose a serious threat to them in their lifetime.

Americans support nuclear energy and offer mixed views on fracking and offshore drilling, while a diminished majority prefer renewable energy development over more fossil fuel production.

About half of U.S. adults either own or express interest in owning an electric vehicle, unchanged from 2024 but down from 59% in 2023.

Majorities of Americans are highly concerned about financial issues, including the economy, healthcare costs, inflation and the federal budget deficit.

Forty-three percent of Western U.S. residents have been affected by extreme weather over the past two years, up from 30% in 2023.

Black Americans are more likely to worry about harmful pollution where they live. Racial differences are substantial in suburbs, towns and rural areas.

Biden's job approval rating is 40%, while ratings of his handling of the economy, foreign affairs and the Middle East situation are below his overall approval.

Three-fourths of Black Americans (76%) and 70% of Hispanic Americans say they personally worry "a great deal" about pollution of drinking water, compared with 48% of White Americans who respond this way.

The 55% of Americans who favor using nuclear energy as a source of electricity is up four points since last year to its highest level since 2012.

Americans' support for decreasing the use of fossil fuels to reduce gas emissions is steady at 58%; Democrats are more in favor than Republicans.

Pollution of drinking water and of natural waterways remain the most worrying environmental problems of six measured by Gallup.

Four percent of Americans report that they currently own an electric vehicle, and the public remains largely unconvinced that the use of EVs does a lot to help address climate change.

President Biden remains underwater in his overall job approval rating and his ratings on the economy, foreign affairs, energy and the environment.

After hitting a new low in July, President Joe Biden's job approval rating is up six points to 44%, mostly because of independents' higher approval.