Most Americans worry about climate change, but fear of isolation keeps them quiet
Most Americans recognize climate change as a serious threat, but a new study finds they rarely talk about it, deepening a silence that limits personal and political action.
Saul Elbein reports for The Hill.
In short:
- A new study in PLOS Climate finds that a “spiral of silence” prevents Americans from speaking about climate change, even though most see it as a major threat.
- The Trump administration has escalated efforts to dismantle federal climate programs, including mass firings at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and plans to gut the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and cut climate research funding.
- The study found that personal conversations can break the silence, helping to normalize concern and motivate action within families and communities.
Key quote:
“When we don’t hear an opinion, or we don’t hear our thoughts out there, we assume we’re in the minority, and we become sort of afraid to speak out about it.”
— Margaret Orr, communication researcher at George Mason University
Why this matters:
When people stay silent about climate change, the silence itself becomes a barrier to action. Most Americans care about the issue, but a lack of open dialogue reinforces the mistaken belief that few others do. This leads to political stagnation, even as environmental damage accelerates. Meanwhile, cuts to scientific agencies under the Trump administration risk further muting the public conversation by eliminating key sources of trusted data. Without these institutions, Americans lose access to the facts they need to make informed decisions — from how they wish to cast their vote to how to live more sustainably.
Related: 'Hands off': Protesters rally nationwide to defend democracy, public health, and climate action
