This post includes climate and environment headlines, data points, and key takeaways from recent public polls - including new polling on utility costs, Trump’s handling of energy costs and other energy and environmental issues, climate change impacts, and federal funding cuts.

Headlines

LCV + Climate Power – Confidence in Trump to handle energy issues has dropped sharply, as many blame him for rising energy costs; voters are deeply troubled when they hear about his anti-environmental actions so far [Memo]

Data for Progress – Most voters say that the U.S. is already feeling the effects of climate change, and two-thirds expect their area to be impacted [Release, Crosstabs]

PowerLines + Ipsos – Most Americans say that their energy bills are higher now than they were a year ago, and there is widespread confusion and dissatisfaction around utilities [Release, Topline]

Navigator – The majority of voters say that Musk’s involvement in the Trump administration makes them feel more negatively about Trump; climate/environment remains Democrats’ top issue strength over Republicans in voter trust [Release, Deck, Topline]

Key Takeaways

Americans continue to say that their energy bills are rising, and they now blame Trump. Utility bills remain a major cost of living concern for Americans, as new polling by PowerLines and Ipsos finds that the majority of Americans say that they are paying higher electrical and/or gas bills now than they were a year ago and most are also concerned about further cost increases this year.

And while Trump was elected largely on the promise that he could better handle inflation, the cost of living–and high energy costs specifically–are now clear weaknesses for him. LCV and Climate Power find that the majority of voters believe that Trump is making the overall cost of living worse. Voters are also much more likely to say that Trump is causing their electricity bills and gas prices to increase than to say that he is bringing these costs down.

Ahead of the warmer summer months that tend to spike climate concerns, voters already see climate change as a here-and-now issue. Polls in recent years have shown seasonal effects on Americans’ climate attitudes, as Americans are more likely to recognize the impacts of climate change and express concern about the problem during periods of extreme weather–particularly extreme heat.

More than ever before though, recognition that climate change is already here is a baseline attitude. On the heels of new Gallup polling showing that a record-high percentage of Americans believe that the effects of global warming have already begun, Data for Progress finds that most voters–including majorities of Democrats and independents and a plurality of Republicans–say that the United States is already experiencing the impacts of climate change.

Good Data Points to Highlight

• [Water Pollution] 74% of voters are concerned about the Trump administration getting rid of rules that would have protected drinking water from “forever chemicals” [LCV + Climate Power]
• [Polluter Accountability] 73% of voters are concerned about the Trump administration stopping holding corporate polluters accountable for harming the environment and people’s health and coaching them on how to avoid clean air rules [LCV + Climate Power]
• [Clean Air + Water] 71% of voters are concerned about the Trump administration eliminating a record number of clean air and water protections and rolling back rules that were already reducing pollution from power plants and vehicles [LCV + Climate Power]
• [Health] 71% of voters are concerned about the Trump administration ending programs to improve people’s health in communities with high levels of pollution that can cause asthma, heart problems, and other illnesses [LCV + Climate Power]
• [Climate Change] 56% of voters recognize that the U.S. has already started experiencing the effects of climate change, and only 15% believe that the U.S. won’t be impacted in the future [Data for Progress]