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 claims he is an “adapter”.

Runnels, the chief administrator of Antelope Point Marina, is Lake Powell, which is the second-largest country reservoir and is 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, and the millions of others who depend on the lake for their water, is 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.

According to scientists, Lake Powell has lost nearly 100 feet over the past two year. Worst multiyear drought in at most 12 centuries. Runnels blames a variety of factors for the low water levels. The Colorado River is being used by more people than it can sustain naturally. He also said 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 that level.”

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 is asking respondents about their experience with extreme conditions for the first time in their annual environment poll. It found 78% of respondents who have faced recent extreme weather — like the The West’s megadrought, Texas deep freeze, Ida is one of the most destructive hurricanes. — 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 definitely influencing how they see the (climate change) issue.”

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 said that extreme weather events are now more common than they were in the past. “They are certainly getting more attention in news, and within that conversation, they’re claiming this is evidence of climate changes.”

Jones stated that the survey was conducted in March and confirmed that people struggle to understand the gravity of the crisis until they reach their doorsteps.

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.

The most frequently reported events in the West were wildfires and extreme heat.

“These data suggest that many people starting to realize climate isn’t just warming, but it’s becoming more variable which is really bad for agriculture, water supply, industry and so many other crucial aspects of our lives,” Jennifer Marlon, a Yale School of the Environment climate scientist, told CNN.

Marlon stated that it was good news that people finally see the connection between extreme weather and global climate change.

“The next question: Do people know that burning coal and oil is what causes severe weather?” Marlon posed.

Monday: Warning from UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate ChangeThe world must immediately shift away from fossil fuels to renewable energy like solar and 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.