In the 1980s, the U.S. saw an annual average of 3.3 natural disasters that caused $1 billion or more in damage. Since 2014, that average has skyrocketed to over 17 annually. Meanwhile, rising sea levels threaten to make coastal hubs — including crowded stretches of Miami and New Orleans — uninhabitable.

How worried are people about the severity of climate change and the frequency of natural disasters? We asked 1,000 people how they’re bracing for the future and fighting back against the rising toll of extreme weather. 

Key Findings

• 93% of Americans say they’re not “very prepared” for a natural disaster — despite nearly 4 in 10 already having experienced one amid rising extreme weather events.
• 38% of Gen Z say climate change is making them less likely to have children — proof that eco-anxiety is influencing major life decisions.
• Nearly half of Americans (45%) say they’ve become numb to natural disasters like wildfires and hurricanes.
• Two-thirds of Americans (66%) are stressed about the environment and nearly half (43%) say their climate anxiety has worsened in the past year.
• 59% of Gen Z would take a more sustainable job even if it paid less, showing how eco-conscious values are reshaping career decisions.
• 1 in 7 Americans has personally been hit by a natural disaster, and 1 in 4 say their community has, revealing widespread exposure with limited preparation.
• 78% of Americans have taken steps to reduce their environmental footprint, with unplugging devices, buying local, and using smart home tech leading the way.

Anxieties About Climate Change Are Widespread and Rising

72% of Americans link today’s natural disasters and weather problems to climate change. 

Earth’s average surface temperature has climbed 1.2 degrees Celsius (2.2 degrees Fahrenheit) since the late 1800s, triggering a cascade of disruptions. Melting ice caps are pushing sea levels higher and flooding coastal communities. At the same time, shifting weather patterns are upending ecosystems and agriculture, unraveling the planet’s natural balance.

With all these problems, Americans are worried. 66% are stressed about the state of the environment, with 13% worrying on a weekly basis. This environmental stress is on the rise, with 43% of Americans reporting that their worry has grown over the past year.

Weekly climate anxiety is highest among younger Americans. 30% of Gen Z and 29% of millennials stress about climate change at least once each week, if not more — that’s nearly double the amount of baby boomers (17%) who are worried.

Gen Z is also the most concerned of all generations when it comes to climate change. 62% say their stress has increased compared to last year; again, this is nearly twice the rate of baby boomers (38%).

Americans’ worries aren’t unfounded, either. 1 in 7  have personally felt the effects of a natural disaster already, and an additional 1 in 4 said their communities had been impacted.

Have Natural Disasters Changed Americans’ View of Climate Change?

Nearly half of Americans (45%) have become numb to natural disasters like the recent wildfires in California and hurricanes in North Carolina and Florida. But the other half are more concerned than ever, especially in light of the escalating climate catastrophes seen over the past year. 

More than 1 in 3 Americans (35%) now consider climate change a critical threat and have taken steps to prepare for or mitigate its impact. Another 12% say their views have shifted but feel too overwhelmed to take meaningful action. 

Younger generations’ opinion of climate change has been particularly affected by recent environmental disasters. 

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Recent disasters have shaken Gen Z the most — their views on climate change have shifted dramatically, and they feel more overwhelmed than any other generation.

Americans Want To Do Their Part

But Americans aren’t just frozen in fear — many are taking action. A staggering 78% say they’ve taken action in the past year to shrink their environmental footprint and push back against climate change. Here’s how they’re making a difference:

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Baby boomer women are leading the charge — 69% say they’re cutting energy usage by turning off lights and unplugging devices. Gen Z women aren’t far behind, with 59% actively working to reduce wasted energy.

Gen Z women are also the most committed to cutting food waste and supporting local goods. 40% say they prioritize buying local and reducing food waste, more than any other group. In contrast, only 15% of Gen Z men say they’ve made diet changes for environmental reasons.

That doesn’t mean Gen Z men aren’t stepping up. 1 in 5 have installed smart thermostats, and another 1 in 5 have made the switch to renewable energy sources like solar panels. Only 4% of baby boomers report using renewable energy, highlighting a major generational divide.

Who Do Americans Trust for Information on Climate Change?

Despite growing skepticism, Americans still turn to experts for guidance on climate change. Here’s who they trust the most:

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The Trump administration has moved to eliminate renewable energy grants that helped fund solar and wind projects. Do Americans support this rollback or do they believe renewables are key to fighting climate change and delivering results in the next decade?

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Gen Z stands out as the most optimistic generation when it comes to renewable energy’s impact on climate change. More than half (55%) believe it will make a difference, and just 15% doubt it will reduce carbon emissions.

Baby boomers, on the other hand, are more skeptical. While 44% are hopeful about sustainable energy, 21% don’t believe it will move the needle.

Electricity production and transportation are tied as the top emitters, each responsible for 28% of carbon emissions. Industry contributes 22%, followed by 11% from commercial and residential energy use, and 9% from agriculture. Experts say a full transition to renewable energy could slash emissions by up to 70%. The Biden administration has set a goal of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 but it’s unclear whether Trump-era policy reversals will jeopardize that progress. 

Frustration and Doubt Shadow Trump’s Climate Rollbacks

65% of Americans are worried or frustrated by the Trump administration's decision to pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement. Gen Z is especially outraged — only 9% support the move, compared to 26% of baby boomers.

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In January 2025, President Trump declared a national energy emergency aimed at ramping up coal and natural resource production, a move framed as a way to create jobs and strengthen national security.

However, Americans are divided on this move. Over a third (36%) worry it will accelerate climate change, while 29% fear it prioritizes short-term profits at the expense of long-term sustainability. Another 29% believe it could slow progress toward renewable energy. 

On the flip side, 23% believe the move could spark job growth in the energy sector, and 33% think it will lower energy costs for consumers while boosting U.S. energy independence.

Americans remain deeply divided when weighing Trump’s latest environmental rollbacks against the Biden administration’s push to fight global warming and accelerate the shift to renewable energy.

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Though some view the Trump administration’s environmental and energy actions positively, most Americans respond with worry, frustration, and concern about the long-term impact.

How Is Climate Change Anxiety Affecting Life Decisions and Daily Habits?

Staring down the barrel of an increasingly uncertain future, young Americans are the ones making sacrifices in this realm and beyond due to climate anxiety 

More than 1 in 5 Gen Zers (21%) and 18% of millennials have changed their home-buying plans due to disaster risks — more than double the general population. Beyond this, climate change is also influencing family planning: 38% of Gen Z and 22% of millennials say it's making them less likely to have children, compared to just 15% of all Americans.

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Millennials are also taking the lead in preparedness. 42% have created a disaster emergency plan — far above the 32% average.

Even though Gen Z reports higher climate anxiety than any other generation, that doesn’t always translate into better daily habits. Just 45% consistently follow energy-saving routines like switching off lights or adjusting thermostats. Instead, they tend to think big: Gen Z is more than twice as likely as the average American to install renewable systems like solar or wind at home.

The Impact of Climate Change on Employment and Job Searchers

A staggering 86% of Americans say they don’t feel conflicted about harming the environment through their jobs — even when they know their employer may be contributing to climate damage. This widespread lack of guilt underscores the powerful pull of financial survival over environmental responsibility. 

For many, the pressure to stay financially afloat outweighs concerns about long-term planetary impact. Still, 14% admit they’ve felt guilt or inner conflict about working in a role that hurts the environment.

This generational divide grows sharper among younger Americans. Here’s how many in each generation say they’ve felt conflicted about their job’s environmental impact:

• Baby boomers: 9%;
• Gen X: 15%;
• Millennials: 19%;
• Gen Z: 28%.

But do these feelings lead to action? For many Americans, the answer is no. Of those who’ve felt conflicted over environmental harm while working:

• 42% simply feel guilty about their contribution to global warming. 
• 36% are motivated to look for a different job.
• 35% feel hopeless about climate change. 
• 21% don’t feel guilty because they think they don’t have another employment choice. 

Nearly half of Gen Zers (47%) and 44% of millennials say they’ve been inspired to seek out greener jobs. But when it comes to guilt, millennials carry a heavier burden. 51% feel guilty about their impact on the planet, compared to just 33% of Gen Z.

But would anyone actually make a career change to reduce environmental harm, especially if it meant taking a pay cut?

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Gen Z is the most willing to trade pay for purpose. Only 42% ruled out a pay cut, while another 42% would accept a modest salary drop to work for a greener employer. Remarkably, 17% would make the switch no matter the financial hit.

Interest in Renewable Energy Adoption at Home

Nearly 7 in 10 Americans (69%) see renewable energy systems like solar and wind as essential for disaster resilience. Nearly half (49%) would consider installing them at home to stay powered during grid outages after a natural disaster.

Despite widespread agreement on the importance of resilience, it’s not the top motivator. Only 12% say it’s their primary reason for going solar. For most Americans (64%), the driving force is lowering their utility bills. Others are motivated by reducing their carbon footprint (17%) or boosting their home’s value (8%).

Interest in solar energy as a disaster safety net varies widely by generation — and Gen Z men are ahead of the curve. 19% say they’re ready to adopt renewable systems like solar panels to protect against future outages. Here’s the full breakdown of who’s getting on board:

• Baby boomers: 6%;
• Gen X: 9%;
• Millennials: 14%;
• Gen Z: 15%.

Though sustainable energy isn’t the top priority for most Americans preparing for climate change and disasters, it’s gaining serious traction — especially among younger generations.

Cost Isn’t the Only Barrier To Adopting Renewable Energy in the Home

Thanks to rising energy costs, Americans are interested in saving money by using renewables — but 38% believe it’s ultimately too expensive. Only 27% are already prepared to make the change.

However, solar adoption isn’t just about money — it’s also about mindset.

While cost is often blamed for slow adoption, even high-income earners are hesitant to invest. 42% of Americans earning under $50,000 say solar is too expensive, but nearly a quarter would still consider it.

But those earning over $100,000 aren’t much more willing, with 38% citing cost as a barrier and only 27% ready to invest. This suggests that messaging, not just affordability, may be slowing adoption.

Gen Z is setting the pace for home solar adoption — they’re 1.5 times more likely than older generations to say they’d invest in renewable energy. Roughly one-quarter of Gen X, millennials, and baby boomers are open to making the switch, compared to 38% of Gen Z.

When the grid goes down, solar looks a lot more appealing.

After major disasters, power can stay out for 10 days or more, and 69% of Americans say they’d consider adopting solar with battery backup if it guaranteed power during an outage. Only 18% say they’d pass on a non-grid-tied system, even if it kept their lights on.

Do Americans Feel Prepared for a Disaster?

Most Americans say they feel ready to face a disaster — but how prepared they actually are varies widely:

• 8% feel very prepared, with a full plan and resources in place.
• 49% feel somewhat prepared, with basic supplies or a loose plan.
• 29% feel indifferent — neither prepared nor unprepared.
• 9% admit they’re unprepared, with few supplies or plans in place.
• 5% say they’re completely unprepared, lacking any resources or emergency plans.

So what does disaster prep actually look like in practice?

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It remains to be seen whether these steps will be enough to survive whatever disaster strikes next.

The surge in natural disasters and extreme weather has fueled growing anxiety. Many Americans feel overwhelmed; they’re uncertain if their efforts matter and frustrated by what they see as inaction from others and the government.

Still, younger generations are pushing forward. They’re more engaged in climate solutions and more likely to adopt renewable energy as part of their disaster response and environmental strategy.

Methodology

To get insights into the climate-related thoughts, anxieties, and actions of Americans, we surveyed 1,000 U.S. citizens from different generations, income brackets, and regions of the country. Our questions covered opinions and feelings (anxiety, level of trust) and actions (renewable energy adoption, disaster preparedness planning). This allowed us to get insights into what people are thinking and what they are doing (if anything) about climate change. 

The demographic diversity in our survey allowed us to analyze and compare how people from different age groups, income levels, and places are reacting to natural disasters and climate change. Thanks to these additional details, we were able to look beyond the big picture of what Americans are doing as a whole to see how different groups are responding to the challenges of climate change, natural disasters, and eco-anxiety. 

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