States Where Most People Do Not Believe Humans Are Driving Climate Change

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Since the industrial revolution, greenhouse gas emissions generated by human activities have surged. The sharp influx of these gases, including carbon dioxide and methane, into the Earth’s atmosphere traps in more heat and results in a warmer planet. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, there are more greenhouse gases in the atmosphere today than at any other time in at least the last 800,000 years. It is likely no coincidence that average global temperatures have also hit all-time highs in recent years, as scientific consensus shows that there is a greater than 95% chance that pollution from human activities is driving the tangible climate change we are currently living through.

Despite overwhelming scientific evidence, there are millions of Americans who do not believe human activity bears responsibility for climate change. According to a 2024 survey conducted by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, only about 59% of adults in the United States believe global warming is caused mostly by human activities. And in certain states, less than half of all adults believe human activity is driving climate change.

Using data from the YPCCC report Yale Climate Opinion Maps 2024, Climate Crisis 247 identified the states where the most people do not believe humans are driving climate change. States are ranked by the share of the 18 and older population who believe global warming is driven mostly by human activity. Only states where fewer than half of the adult population believe humans are driving global warming appear on this list. States are ranked by percentage from highest to lowest. The YPCCC bears no responsibility for the analyses or interpretations of the data presented here.

Among the six states on this list, the share of adults who believe global warming is caused mostly by human activities ranges from 49.6% to 43.3%. Notably, the states on this list are powered by dirty energy sources – sources that emit the most greenhouse gas pollution – to a greater degree than is typical in the United States. Coal, for example, has a high carbon content and creates more pollution than virtually any other energy source. Nationwide, 9% of all energy consumption is derived from coal. But, with the sole exception of Louisiana, coal is a leading source of energy in every state on this list, accounting for anywhere from 15.6% to 50.1% of energy consumption, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

6. Kentucky

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Est. share of adults who think global warming is caused mostly by human activities: 49.6%
Largest power source in state: Coal, 31.8% of energy consumption
Second largest power source in state: Natural Gas, 24.5% of energy consumption
Adult population in state: 3,487,980

5. Louisiana

Est. share of adults who think global warming is caused mostly by human activities: 49.4%
Largest power source in state: Natural Gas, 51.3% of energy consumption
Second largest power source in state: Hydrocarbon gas liquids, 15.0% of energy consumption
Adult population in state: 3,532,365

4. Arkansas

Est. share of adults who think global warming is caused mostly by human activities: 49.3%
Largest power source in state: Natural Gas, 34.6% of energy consumption
Second largest power source in state: Coal, 15.6% of energy consumption
Adult population in state: 2,326,772

3. North Dakota

Est. share of adults who think global warming is caused mostly by human activities: 45.7%
Largest power source in state: Coal, 40.2% of energy consumption
Second largest power source in state: Natural Gas, 27.3% of energy consumption
Adult population in state: 594,567

2. Wyoming

Est. share of adults who think global warming is caused mostly by human activities: 43.4%
Largest power source in state: Coal, 50.1% of energy consumption
Second largest power source in state: Natural Gas, 24.8% of energy consumption
Adult population in state: 447,401

1. West Virginia

*Photo by Sharosh Rajasekher on Unsplash*

Est. share of adults who think global warming is caused mostly by human activities: 43.3%
Largest power source in state: Coal, 46.4% of energy consumption
Second largest power source in state: Natural Gas, 30.3% of energy consumption
Adult population in state: 1,425,052