Poll suggests US adults are facing increased strain from extreme heat

What the report says

An AP-NORC poll reported by Al Jazeera finds that a growing share of US adults say extreme heat is affecting their daily lives, even as belief in climate change has edged down slightly. The survey of 1,165 adults, conducted in late July and released Thursday, suggests that heat is becoming a more immediate personal issue for many respondents across the country.

According to the poll, 66% of Americans said climate change is happening, down from 73% in a similar survey in September 2025. At the same time, more people said rising temperatures are disrupting routine activities. The share saying extreme heat had a major impact on outdoor activities rose to 30%, up from 21% in July 2024, and more respondents also reported major effects on vacation plans, commuting, exercise and sleep.

The reported impacts were especially pronounced in the West and Midwest, and Democratic respondents were more likely than Republicans to say heat had affected their plans. The poll also found that 81% of Americans said their electricity bills were affected by extreme heat over the past year, compared with 69% in July 2024.

Al Jazeera noted the findings against a broader backdrop of widespread US drought and repeated heat waves this year. The article said experts warn that higher temperatures can raise wildfire risk, strain power grids and increase pressure on households already facing higher energy costs.