- AP-NORC opinion: Most Americans believe extreme heat is already happening due to climate change, with some citing the impact on their own lives.
- Nearly eight in 10 Americans: 8 out of 10 say they are more likely to believe that extreme heat is caused by climate change, while 17% say they are not convinced and 15% say they are unsure.
- Based on the survey findings, 66% of Americans say they believe climate change is already causing extreme heat, while 17% say they do not believe it and 15% say they are unsure.
Extreme heat is already occurring in the United States: According to a survey by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, most Americans say they believe that extreme heat is happening due to climate change, with some citing the impact on their own lives.
The material also notes that the United States is experiencing a record number of heat waves, with 2024 being the hottest year on record. Researchers say that this is likely to continue as climate change worsens. The report also cites that 66% of Americans say they believe climate change is already causing extreme heat, while 17% say they do not believe it and 15% say they are unsure.
In terms of the survey results, 74-year-old Elizabeth Brackmont of Tucson, Arizona, says she believes the temperatures are rising and that the heat is more intense than before. She also says that in recent years, she has noticed more extreme heat days and that it has affected her daily life.
Meanwhile, 50-year-old Daemien Wiles of Illinois says he believes climate change is causing more extreme heat and that it has become harder to live with. He adds that he has noticed more days with dangerous heat and that it has affected his family’s well-being.
Overall, the survey shows that 66% of Americans consider climate change to be a factor in extreme heat, while 17% do not, and 15% say they are unsure.
The material also states that the survey included 1,165 respondents who were interviewed from April 23 to 27, 2026. For the NORC probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, the margin of sampling error was plus or minus 3.7 percentage points.