Did Global Warming Make Hurricane Helene Worse? Here's Where Americans Are Most Worried About Climate Change

"Climate change underpins many conversations surrounding the scale and intensity of recent natural disasters. While nationwide nearly three in four Americans believe the planet is warming, there is less consensus around the actual risks and consequences that will result from climate change. The Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, in partnership with George Mason University, regularly conducts one of the nation's most detailed climate-opinion surveys. Out of 30 questions, one of the most contentious reveals the level of worry participants experience regarding global warming."

"In their survey, Yale asked participants, "How worried are you about global warming?" with options ranging from "very worried" to "not at all worried". While nationwide 63% of Americans say they are very or somewhat worried about global warming, large regional disparities persist throughout the country. There are several factors correlated with climate change worry. In general, higher education levels correlate strongly with concern about climate change, though income shows a weaker and more region-dependent relationship."

"Ironically, some high-risk counties show lower reported concern about climate change, though this pattern varies by region. To determine the counties that are worried about climate change the most, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data on climate change belief from the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication. Counties were ranked based on the percentage of surveyed residents who answered that they are "somewhat" or "very worried" about global warming in 2024."

Hurricane Helene made landfall near Cedar Key, Florida, on September 26, 2024, as a Category 4 storm and moved roughly 500 miles inland through Georgia and the southern Appalachians before dissipating near Tennessee, causing severe inland flooding and damage across the Southeast. Nearly three in four Americans believe the planet is warming, and 63% say they are very or somewhat worried about global warming, but large regional disparities persist. Higher education levels correlate strongly with greater concern about climate change, while income correlations are weaker and region-dependent. Some high-risk counties report lower concern. Counties were ranked by the percentage answering 'somewhat' or 'very worried' in 2024.

Read at 24/7 Wall St.