Americans are more likely than ever to say that climate crisis is imminent after recent extreme weather. Weather| Weather

Kenneth Runnels does not see himself as a victim of the drought. He believes he is an “adapter.”

Runnels, the chief administrator of Antelope Point Marina, is Lake Powell, which is the second-largest country reservoir and a large part of the Colorado River system, which supplies water for more than 40 millions people in the West.

Powell’s water level is now at its lowest point after decades of drought. unimaginable lowsRunnels’ business as well as the millions of people who depend on the lake’s waters, are at risk.

Runnels had to make quick adjustments to the plummeting water levelHe has devised new routes to get from bank to water. CNN was informed by him that he is currently working to obtain another permit to lower access point 20 feet further.

Scientists have determined that Lake Powell has fallen nearly 100 feet in two years. Worst multiyear drought since at least 12 centuries. Runnels cites overuse as a reason for low water levels. The Colorado River is being used by more people than it can sustain naturally. He also stated that he sees the effects of climate change.

Runnels said, “I have seen it come down and come back up, come up again and go down,” “Never to this degree.”

A Gallup pollCNN shared the first results. 1 in 3 Americans claimed they were affected by extreme weather in the last two years. Those who were more likely to have been affected were also more likely to claim that the climate crisis is a danger. Gallup estimates that approximately 6 million people were impacted by drought during this time.

Gallup asked their respondents for their first ever environment poll about their experiences with extreme weather. It found 78% of respondents who have faced recent extreme weather — like the The West’s megadroughtThe Texas deep freeze, Ida, a deadly hurricane — believe the effects of climate change are already unfolding, compared to 51% who had not.

Gallup senior editor Jeffrey Jones told CNN that people see this happening more often across the country. “It’s certainly influencing the way they view (climate) issues.”

While Democrats were more likely to report being impacted by extreme weather — 45% to 20% — the poll found, regardless of political party affiliation, respondents who had been affected were more likely to be concerned about the climate crisis.

Gallup reported that Republicans are less likely to worry than Republican-leaners. However, Gallup found a 15-point gap in climate concerns between those who (28%) and those who (13%) had been affected.

Jones stated that extreme weather events are more common than ever. “They are certainly getting a lot of attention in the news, but within that discussion they’re saying this evidence of climate change.”

Jones said that the survey, which was done in March, showed how people struggle to grasp the gravity and impact of the crisis until it reaches them.

Gallup found that those who live in the South or West were significantly more likely than those who live in the East or Midwest to report experiencing an extreme event. A majority of those who claimed to have experienced such an event listed extreme cold or hurricane, winter storm, or extreme heat.

Wildfires, extreme heat, and drought were the most common events reported by West-based respondents.

“These data show that many people are beginning to realize that our climate doesn’t just warm, it’s becoming more volatile, which is really bad news für agriculture, water supplies and industry, as well as so many other vital aspects of life,” Jennifer Marlon from Yale School of the Environment, told CNN.

Marlon said it is encouraging that more people are beginning to see the connection between extreme weather events and global warming.

“The next question is: Do people realize that burning coal, oil, and methane gas are what causes chaotic severe weather?” Marlon posed.

Monday will be the The UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change issued a warningThe world must immediately transition away from fossil fuels in favor of renewable energy like solar or wind. Limit the impact of climate crisis — otherwise, the West is destined for more drought and heat, the oceans will continue to inundate coastal communities and extreme weather will become more deadly than it already is.

Gallup’s respondents believe that humans are responsible for Earth’s warming in the past century. This is compared to natural changes, which is around 65%. However, 45% of respondents believe that global warming poses a threat during their lifetime. 54% disagree.