How Important is Climate Change to Voters in the 2024 Presidential Election?

Facebook Tweet LinkedIn

As the 2024 presidential election approaches, climate change is emerging as a significant issue for voters, according to a recent survey by CivicScience. The survey, which included responses from nearly 66,000 participants, revealed that almost one-quarter of respondents consider climate change one of the top four political issues influencing their vote. Immigration, the state of healthcare, and national security were also identified as critical.

How concerned are you about the impacts of extreme heat? Take our poll

Most Expensive EV? –$500,000 Ferrari

Gender and Age Differences
Among the 23% of respondents who identified climate change as a critical issue, there were notable differences in opinion based on gender and age. Women were slightly more likely than men to prioritize climate change, with 54% of the concerned respondents being female and 46% male. This contrasts with the broader group of respondents who did not prioritize climate change, where the gender split was more balanced at 51% female and 49% male. Age also played a significant role in shaping opinions on climate change. Older voters, particularly those aged 65 and above, were the most likely to prioritize climate change, making up one-fifth of the concerned respondents. This was followed by voters aged 35-44 and 45-54, each representing 16% and 14% of the concerned group, respectively. Younger voters, particularly those aged 18-24, were less likely to prioritize climate change, comprising only 15% of the concerned respondents.

Location Matters
Where people live further highlights the divide in climate change concerns. Among those who view climate change as a critical issue, 41% reside in suburban areas, 34% in cities, and 23% in rural areas. This contrasts with the 39% of respondents who do not prioritize climate change and live in suburbs, 29% in rural areas, and 28% in cities. The data suggests that suburban and urban residents are more likely to be concerned about climate change than their rural counterparts. When examining how political affiliation plays out, Democrats are nearly 4 times more likely than Republicans to select climate change as a critical issue in the election. With nearly half of Americans surveyed experiencing some severe weather event in the last year, climate change will likely be an issue to watch for a notable portion of the electorate in the upcoming election.

Survey data indicates a clear gender and age divide, with women and older voters more likely to prioritize environmental concerns. This could influence campaign strategies, as candidates must address climate change more prominently to appeal to these demographics. The CivicScience survey with a sample size of 65,887 users provides a look into voter priorities ahead of the 2024 election. The survey’s methodology ensured a diverse range of respondents, offering valuable insights into the demographic factors influencing opinions on climate change. As the election draws nearer, monitoring how these opinions evolve and whether climate change gains more traction as a critical issue will be essential. For now, the data underscores the importance of addressing environmental concerns to engage a significant segment of the electorate, particularly among women and older voters.

Climate Crisis 24/7 used generative AI technology to help produce this article, which a human editor at Climate Crisis 24/7 edited. Climate Crisis 24/7 is dedicated to accuracy and transparency; any article that uses AI will be noted.