Majority of Americans Tie Extreme Weather to Climate Change, Back Heat-Protection Policies

A July 2026 survey by the progressive polling firm Data for Progress found that 61 % of likely U.S. voters say extreme weather events have become more frequent over the past five years. Support spans party lines: 72 % of Democrats, 63 % of Independents and 46 % of Republicans. Majorities also associate climate change with worsening wildfires (64 %), droughts (63 %), flooding (62 %), hurricanes (59 %) and severe thunderstorms (59 %). Heatwaves received the strongest attribution, with 67 % linking them to climate change—including 48 % of Republicans.

The Guardian

The same poll showed overwhelming backing for workplace heat safeguards: 88 % of respondents favor state laws requiring employers to provide drinking water, shade, breaks and air conditioning, while only 7 % oppose such measures. Respondents indicated that heat-related illness is a leading cause of workplace injuries and deaths, affecting outdoor laborers and indoor workers in poorly ventilated settings.

The Guardian

Grace Adcox, senior climate strategist at Data for Progress, said the findings could serve as “an entry point to being able to have a more bipartisan conversation about climate and climate intervention.” Senator Sheldon Whitehouse called the results “a mountain of evidence that the public is way ahead of the politicians on the dire consequences of climate change.” Jessica E. Martinez, executive director of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health, interpreted the 88 % figure as proof that “protecting workers from dangerous heat isn’t a partisan issue.” The Biden administration’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced a revised heat-illness enforcement initiative, though critics note the changes are less robust than the original plan.

The Guardian

Despite broad consensus, a Yale Program on Climate Change Communication spring survey found that 27 % of Americans still believe recent warming is primarily a natural cycle. Jennifer Marlon, senior research scientist at Yale, described this belief as “the biggest misconception out there.” The persistence of this view suggests that public understanding of the underlying causes of climate change remains incomplete.

The Guardian

• “We started with the question of our extreme weather events increasing, because we thought [that] if we can find consensus on that, that can be an entry point to being able to have a more bipartisan conversation about climate and climate intervention,” — Grace Adcox, Senior Climate Strategist, Data for Progress

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• “adds to the mountain of evidence that the public is way ahead of the politicians on the dire consequences of climate change” — Sheldon Whitehouse, U.S. Senator (R-RI)

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• “These findings send a powerful message: protecting workers from dangerous heat isn’t a partisan issue,” — Jessica E. Martinez, Executive Director, National Council for Occupational Safety and Health

The Guardian

• “This is probably the biggest misconception out there – many Americans still think the warming is due to some kind of natural cycle. But it isn’t,” — Jennifer Marlon, Senior Research Scientist, Yale Program on Climate Change Communication

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• “When 88% of likely voters … support requiring employers to provide basic, lifesaving heat protections, it’s clear the public expects every worker to be protected.” — Jessica E. Martinez, Executive Director, National Council for Occupational Safety and Health

The Guardian