From wildfires to drought, Mountain West states share U.S. concerns about extreme weather

A new Pew Research Center survey finds that nearly seven in 10 U.S. adults say extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, while six in 10 believe they are worsening. Federal data confirms climate change is intensifying droughts, floods, and wildfires, making them more severe and long-lasting. However, Americans remain divided over the causes, with about half attributing global warming primarily to human activities like burning fossil fuels. The survey highlights a decade-long stability in these views, as perceptions have not shifted significantly since 2016. Political affiliation plays a major role, with Democrats far more likely than Republicans to say extreme weather is worsening, even when living in the same regions. Brian Kennedy, a senior researcher at Pew, noted that partisanship is the primary driver of these differing views. Frustration over government responses to climate change has grown, particularly among Democrats, where nearly seven in 10 now believe the U.S. and other countries will fail to prevent the worst climate impacts. Residents of the Mountain West—where wildfires, drought, and extreme heat are recurring—experience these changes firsthand, yet there remains no national consensus on causes or solutions. The findings underscore a complex dynamic: while many Americans observe worsening weather, they disagree on its origins and what should be done. The survey reflects broad pessimism, especially in regions most affected by climate-related disasters.