Sweltering summers are no longer an exception but a shared experience for most Americans. A survey uncovered how record-breaking heat waves are reshaping daily routines, straining wallets, and disrupting sleep for millions. The findings further reveal striking disparities across regions, income levels, and political beliefs, thus painting a vivid picture of a nation coping with intensifying temperatures.
AP-NORC Poll Reveals Extreme Heat Disrupts Daily Life for Most Americans and Unequal Impacts of Extreme Heat on Communities
The survey, conducted by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, revealed that extreme heat is the most common severe weather event experienced by Americans in recent years. It also highlighted the widespread disruptions caused by soaring temperatures and the growing public concern over the role of climate change in these events.
Researchers used the AmeriSpeak Omnibus, a bi-monthly multi-client probability-based panel designed to represent the U.S household population. Data were gathered from 1143 adults aged 18 and older between 24 and 29 July 2024. Respondents participated through web and telephone interviews and were surveyed in both English and Spanish.
Participants were randomly selected from across all 50 states and the District of Columbia to ensure a representative sample with approximately 97 percent coverage of U.S. households. The research excluded households with post office box-only addresses, unlisted residences, and newly built dwellings not included in postal databases.
The poll has provided insights into how extreme heat impacts day-to-day lifestyle, finances, and health across the nation. Findings further reveal disparities among predefined racial, income, and regional groups, along with significant differences in political perceptions of climate change and extreme weather conditions. The critical findings of the survey are outlined below:
• Prevalence of Extreme Weather Impacts: 80 percent of Americans report experiencing at least one form of extreme weather in the past 5 years. 71 percent specifically report being affected by extreme heat, making it the most common form of severe weather compared to extreme cold or severe storms.
• Impacts on Daily Life: 70 percent report higher electricity bills due to extreme heat. 60 percent state that outdoor routines such as exercising or gardening were disrupted. 40 percent report trouble sleeping or physical discomfort. 25 percent altered or canceled travel plans, and many adjusted pet care routines during heat waves.
• Strain on Personal and Household Finance: 40 percent report unexpected utility costs due to severe heat. 25 percent indicate higher homeowner insurance premiums linked to weather events. 10 percent encountered unexpected medical expenses due to heat-related illnesses such as exhaustion or dehydration.
• Disparities Across Demographics: Hispanic adults, at 51 percent, and Black adults, at 44 percent, are more likely than white adults, at 33 percent, to experience sleep disruption due to heat. Low-income households or those earning under USD 30000 annually are also more likely to report heat-related disruptions than higher-income groups.
• Regional Differences: Those in the western and southern regions report higher heat impacts, with about 50 percent in the West and 40 percent in the South experiencing sleep disruptions. In contrast, about 30 percent in the Midwest and Northeast report similar impacts, showing clear geographic variation in heat effects.
• Public Perception of Climate Change: 69 to 72 percent of the respondents believe climate change is partly responsible. 70 percent overall believe climate change is occurring, while 13 percent deny it and 18 percent remain uncertain. Nearly half report increased concern about climate change over the past year.
• Political Differences: Democrats are more likely than Republicans to report being personally affected by extreme heat or the impacts of extreme weather. They are also more inclined to attribute these weather events to climate change, illustrating ongoing partisan divides on environmental issues and climate policy discussions.
The aforesaid underscore that extreme heat is now the most widespread weather-related challenge in the U.S. It affects health, finances, and daily activities for millions of residents. The study also highlights growing public recognition of climate change as a driving factor, although perceptions vary widely across political, racial, and economic lines.
FURTHER READING AND REFERENCE
- AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. August 2024. “Extreme Heat is Impacting Most Americans.” AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Available online