Environmental Polling Roundup – October 31, 2025
Headlines
The Economist + YouGov – A rising share of Americans recognize that the climate is changing as a result of human activity, and Trump has lower approval on climate/environment than any other issue [Topline, Crosstabs]
Environmental Defense Fund – Voters, including Republicans, oppose the Trump administration’s proposed changes to the Toxic Substances Control Act [Release, Memo]
Good Data Points to Highlight
[Climate Change] 63% of Americans recognize that the world’s climate is changing as a result of human activity [The Economist + YouGov]
[Toxics] 74% of voters oppose the Trump administration’s proposed changes to the Toxic Substances Control Act after learning that the changes will allow chemicals to come on the market with shorter review times and with the assumption that chemicals are safe until proven harmful [EDF]
Full Roundup
The Economist + YouGov – A rising share of Americans recognize that the climate is changing as a result of human activity, and Trump has lower approval on climate/environment than any other issue [Topline, Crosstabs]
A rising share of Americans recognize the reality of human-caused climate change. More than three in five (63%) believe that the world’s climate is changing as a result of human activity, which represents a seven-point increase since The Economist and YouGov last asked this question in July (56%).
The Economist and YouGov find that this shift is also broad-based. Compared to July, recognition of human-caused climate change has increased among Democrats (from 83% to 88%), independents (from 56% to 63%), and Republicans (from 29% to 39%).
And while it’s common to see seasonal patterns in Americans’ climate consciousness (which typically spikes in response to hot or otherwise extreme weather), current recognition of human-caused climate change is also five points higher than in an Economist/YouGov survey that was fielded last October in the wake of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton (58%).
Trump receives his lowest approval rating on climate change and the environment. Only 29% of Americans approve of the way that Trump is handling climate change and the environment, which is the lowest of the six issue areas that The Economist and YouGov asked about:
- Immigration – 42% approve / 52% disapprove (-10 net)
- Jobs and the economy – 35% approve / 57% disapprove (-22 net)
- Education – 33% approve / 52% disapprove (-19 net)
- Abortion – 32% approve / 49% disapprove (-17 net)
- Inflation/prices – 31% approve / 61% disapprove (-30 net)
- Climate change and the environment – 29% approve / 50% disapprove (-21 net)
Trump’s low approval on climate and the environment stems largely from the fact that Republicans aren’t enthused about his approach to these issues. Only 61% of Republicans say that they approve of Trump’s job on climate and the environment, while 70%+ approve of the way that he is handling every other issue that was included in the survey.
Disapproval of Trump’s handling of climate change and the environment isn’t as high as it is for other issues such as inflation and the economy, however, in large part because many (21%) don’t have an opinion about his performance on climate change and the environment.
Environmental Defense Fund – Voters, including Republicans, oppose the Trump administration’s proposed changes to the Toxic Substances Control Act [Release, Memo]
Voters widely disapprove of the Trump administration’s proposed changes to the TSCA. EDF provided respondents with the following information about possible changes to the TSCA:
“The Trump Administration is proposing changes to the TSCA. These changes will allow chemicals to come on the market with shorter review times and with the assumption that chemicals are safe until proven harmful.”
Based on this description, voters oppose the changes by a 48-point margin (26% support / 74% oppose) and close to half (45%) “strongly” oppose the idea.
Opposition to the weakening of the TSCA spans party lines. In addition to large majorities of Democrats (84%) and independents (83%), most Republicans (57%) oppose proposed changes to the TSCA. This cross-partisan agreement is particularly notable as the question attributed the proposal to the Trump administration, signaling clearly to Republican voters where Trump stands on it.
Related Resources
Environmental Polling Roundup – August 6th, 2021
This post includes a roundup of climate + environment headlines from this week’s public polls, good data points to highlight, and a full roundup including key takeaways from each poll.
Environmental Polling Roundup – August 23rd, 2021
This post includes a roundup of climate + environment headlines from this week’s public polls, good data points to highlight, and a full roundup including key takeaways from each poll.
Environmental Polling Roundup – August 27th, 2021
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