The Walton Family Foundation, in collaboration with Morning Consult, released a poll revealing a majority of Americans agree climate change will alter important aspects of life in the U.S. like agriculture (76% total, 89% Democrats, and 61% Republicans), water resources (76% total, 90% Democrats, and 59% Republicans) and the economy (71% total, 87% Democrats, and 55% Republicans). The poll also shows 73% of Americans are worried about climate change and water scarcity, with at least three-in-five voters saying that drought, increased temperatures, wildfires, extreme weather and flooding are a product of climate change’s effect on water resources.
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March 22 marks World Water Day, an annual United Nations observance that celebrates water and inspires global reflection on the importance of water in sustaining a healthy planet.
“What we see here is that Americans understand that climate change is water change. Droughts, floods, wildfires and big storms all make climate change very real for people, and voters are united in their call for solutions,” said Moira Mcdonald, Environment Program Director of the Walton Family Foundation. “We should be hopeful that, despite divisions in our country, Americans want to come together to protect water, communities and nature. This is a time for bold leadership.”
Notably, Black and Hispanic voters expressed more concern about climate change’s impacts on the economy (84% Black, 81% Hispanic, 68% White), health (88% Black, 78% Hispanic, 67% White), and issues around equality (69% Black voters, 62% Hispanic voters, 44% White).
“These numbers show us that we not only need to do more on climate change, but we also need to be more inclusive in our approaches,” said Mcdonald. “This is yet another wake-up call that at every level of this work, from grassroots environmental organizations to elected leaders, we need to make sure the solutions we are presenting fully include the experiences of people who are closest to the impacts.”
One-quarter of American voters believe their state will not have enough water during their grandchildren’s lifetimes (the next 100 years). The numbers are even higher in western states – 55% in Colorado said their state would not have enough water in the next 100 years and 53% said the same in Arizona.
“It’s shocking that a quarter of all Americans – and more than half of the residents in Arizona and Colorado – don’t think there will be enough water in their home states for their grandchildren to live out their lives,” said Mcdonald. “The Colorado River Basin is living through a historic drought fueled by climate change and this poll shows there is urgency and unity among all voters to meet these challenges head on.”