The American Psychological Association and ecoAmerica are pleased to offer this update of our 2017 report, Mental Health and Our Changing Climate. Since that report appeared, concerns about the mental health impacts of climate change have grown among health professionals, policymakers, and the public. Research on climate and health has accelerated and many new findings have emerged. With this update, we aim to provide readers with the information and guidance they need to stay current in this field and take effective action.

California and the US are increasingly beset by climate-fueled disasters like wildfires, extreme heat, and power blackouts. These events put additional stress on frayed hard and social infrastructure systems, and disproportionately impact working-class communities of color. To adapt to these changes, society must update our notion of disaster response to increase resilience in these systems before disasters strike. This report offers two models for this response: 1) building and normalizing resilience hubs where community members gather and organize both in good times and bad, and 2) increasing in-home resilience by recognizing homecare workers as effective agents for assisting vulnerable populations and bridging authorities and the frontlines. The report goes on to recommend specific ways to set up resilience hubs, train care workers, and develop forward-thinking emergency response plans to avert human disasters after natural disasters.

Americans overwhelmingly support updating and strengthening the methane standards and regulations. Even after being shown balanced pro and con messaging, people support touger methane regulations by a nearly 5:1 margin. Curtailing leaks and releases of methane has broad support across all major demographics, including 2-to-1 support among Republicans.

Pennsylvania statewide poll shows majorities of residents across parties support policies that protect clean air (81%) and support clean energy policies (63%).

Over Half of Americans Report Experiencing Health Impacts from Climate Change: A majority (60%) report being affected by record heat waves during summer, which can cause heat strokes and dehydration. About half (49%) report being affected by more damage and harm from extreme weather. And, nearly half (45%) report being affected by breathing problems, such as asthma.

The type of community Americans live in seems to have little bearing on key climate perspectives. Rural (75%), Suburban (79%), and Urban Americans (84%) are equally aware that climate change is happening, including noticing more severe and changing seasonal weather. High majorities across all community types believe urgent action is needed to reduce the pollution that is causing climate change. They also all believe that the U.S. should produce more wind and solar energy, and less coal. This consensus constitutes a strong foundation of public support for solutions.

A Majority of Republicans Believe Climate and Weather Change Is Happening: 80% of Americans understand that climate change is happening, including 94% of Democrats, 71% of Independents, and 64% of Republicans (up from 58% in 2015). Two in three Republicans (66%) now say they are noticing more severe and changing seasonal weather over recent years, representing a 14-point gain over three years, the highest gain amongst the three parties.

Americans Trust Health leaders for Climate Information: Health professionals are the second most trusted messengers for information on climate change (62% nationally), just after scientists (70%), with a 5-point increase since 2015. Unfortunately, only 20% of Americans report hearing about the climate from health professionals.

Summarizes lessons learned and challenges to collaboration between traditional large environmental organizations and frontline or people of color led organizations. Draws on the conversation at the “Engaging Non-Traditional Groups in Coal Plant Retirement” session at the National Coal Plant Retirement Conference in Denver and co-facilitated by the Little Village Environmental Organization, American Lung Association, Sierra Club, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).