South Florida Believes Climate Change is Happening More than the Rest of the State, U.S.: Yale Survey

Between 2021 and 2022, a comprehensive survey involving nearly 130,000 individuals across 125 countries, including the United States, revealed significant global concern regarding climate change. Notably, 69% of participants expressed a willingness to allocate 1% of their income to combat global warming. Additionally, 86% believed that their fellow citizens should actively engage in addressing climate issues, and 89% felt that their governments ought to intensify efforts in this domain.

Increasing Climate Awareness in the United States

In 2024, Yale University conducted the Climate Opinion Map survey, focusing specifically on American perspectives concerning climate change. The findings indicated that 63% of Americans are now concerned about climate change, a notable increase from 52% in 2014. Furthermore, the proportion of individuals categorized as either ‘alarmed’ or ‘concerned’ about climate change and its health implications has risen significantly over the past decade. ​

South Florida: A Regional Outlier

While national and state-level data in the U.S. exhibit similar trends, South Florida emerges as a distinct region with heightened climate awareness. The Yale survey revealed that 77% of South Floridians acknowledge the occurrence of climate change, surpassing both the national average of 72% and the Florida state average of 73%. This elevated awareness may be attributed to the region’s direct experiences with climate-related events and proactive media coverage linking weather patterns to broader climate trends. ​

Educational Initiatives and Public Engagement

The survey also highlighted strong support for climate education, with 77% of American adults advocating for the inclusion of global warming topics in school curricula. In South Florida, this sentiment is even more pronounced, with 83% endorsing climate education. Such educational initiatives are vital in fostering informed public discourse and empowering communities to participate actively in climate action. These findings underscore a growing recognition of climate change as a critical issue, both globally and within the United States. The heightened awareness in regions like South Florida reflects the tangible impacts of climate phenomena on local communities, emphasizing the need for continued education, policy intervention, and collective action to address the challenges posed by a changing climate.​