Exclusive: Most voters believe climate change threatens the American Dream

A poll commissioned by Grist found that 58 per cent of likely US voters believe climate change will make it harder to achieve or maintain the American Dream over the next 20 years. The finding contrasts with the Trump administration’s use of the American Dream to justify rolling back some climate policies, and suggests many voters see climate impacts as a threat to their future prospects.

The Data for Progress survey of 1,167 likely voters was conducted this spring. More than half named the cost of living as the biggest current obstacle, while 2 per cent cited climate change or extreme weather; however, more than half were very worried that climate change would raise living costs. The poll also found 42 per cent of Republicans expect climate change to hinder the American Dream, and just 6 per cent described climate policies as “an expensive burden on working people”.