Poll: Americans are more likely than others to think climate change is a danger if they have experienced extreme weather

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

Powell’s water level has dropped to a record low 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’s 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 since at least 12 centuries. Runnels attributes the low water levels to several factors, including excessive use. More people are using Colorado River water than it can sustain. He also stated that he can see the signs of climate change.

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

A new 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 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.

“People see it happening more and more across America, and I think that they’re making that link,” Jeffrey Jones, senior editor at Gallup, told CNN. “It’s definitely influencing how they see the [climate] issue.”

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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 and Republican-leaners are less likely than their Democratic counterparts to be concerned about climate change. However, there was a 15 point gap in climate concern between those (28%) who had been affected by extreme events and those (13%) who hadn’t.

Jones stated that extreme weather events are more common than ever. They are receiving a lot of attention in the news and, within that discussion, they are saying this is evidence about 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.

Downed power lines slump over a road in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida in Reserve, Louisiana, in 2021.

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.

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Marlon said it was good to see that more people are beginning to understand the link between extreme weather events and global warming.

“The next question is do people really understand that the chaotic severe weather is caused by burning oil, coal, or methane gas?” Marlon posed.

Monday will be the 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 on the 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.

Runnels, Lake Powell, hopes to see the water level rise due to snow melting and draining down from high altitudes.

Runnels said that even though the snow in Colorado is not ideal, there will be runoff. “We expect to get 10 feet. If we’re lucky, maybe even 20.

Runnels’ marina is located in a “deep canal,” but he claims others aren’t as fortunate.

Runnels stated, “This marina, that we can probably sustain thatfor a while now.” “Some other locations that aren’t in the main channel and 300 feet deep?” They’ll have problems, you know.

“If it continues to fall, they’re going be the first to dry up more or less.”

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