Young Americans Worry About Climate Change but Doubt Institutional Capacity to Address It
While climate change remains a significant concern for young Americans, faith in government and institutional efficacy to tackle sustainability issues is waning, a new Sacred Heart University poll reveals.
The survey, conducted by the Laudato Si’ Office of Sustainability and Social Justice, indicates that 70% of young people are either somewhat (40.6%) or very worried (27.9%) about climate change. Additionally, 55% experience “eco-anxiety,” reflecting the impact of climate change on their daily lives.
The emotions reported include anxiety (39%), frustration (31%), and fear (26%), with a slight majority feeling hopeless (22.5%) rather than hopeful (21.3%). Despite a stable level of climate concern compared to 2025, eco-anxiety has decreased by 8 percentage points, potentially due to the issue being less immediate in public discourse.
“Climate concern is widespread among U.S. youth, but the climate experience is defined by anxiety, not intensity,” the researchers stated.
Conducted with 1,500 U.S. residents aged 15 to 29 from March 5-12, the survey by the Catholic school in Fairfield, Connecticut, and GreatBlue Research has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.4 percentage points.
Nearly two-thirds of participants see sustainability and social justice as important priorities. Over 90% believe it’s vital for educational institutions to instruct on these topics and equip students with the skills to act on them.
U.S. Catholic schools, including Sacred Heart University, actively participate in the Vatican’s Laudato Si’ Action Platform, which outlines how Catholics can engage with environmental teachings from Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical “Laudato Si’, on Care for Our Common Home.”
Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, has continued to emphasize environmental issues, stating, “The challenges identified in Laudato Si’ are in fact even more relevant today than they were ten years ago” and urging an ecological and spiritual transformation.
The Sacred Heart survey shows limited change in young adults’ views since the 2025 poll. However, confidence in their ability to act on sustainability and social justice issues fell 7 percentage points to 61%, while feelings of personal responsibility decreased 6 percentage points to 65%.
Trust in institutions to address these matters is also declining. Trust ratings for 11 surveyed groups dropped in 2026 compared to 2025, with the largest decreases for the federal government (42.1%, down 14.4 points), large corporations (36.5%, down 11.4 points), and the wealthy elite (33.2%, down 11.5 points).
Colleges maintain the highest trust level at 60%, alongside nonprofit organizations, faith-based charities, and other charitable foundations. Trust in organized religion stands at 44%, a nearly 7-point drop from the previous year.
The survey was conducted during the second term of the Trump administration, which has significantly reduced federal spending on climate initiatives and sought to dismantle regulations limiting greenhouse gas emissions. Many companies have also retreated from commitments to curb emissions.
According to the Rhodium Group, U.S. emissions increased by 2.4% in 2025. The past 11 years rank among the warmest on record.
Concerns about climate change span the political spectrum, with majorities of Democrats (80.5%), Republicans (58.4%), and independents (67.1%) expressing worry. However, those very worried are predominantly Democrats (43.1%), compared to Republicans (18%) and independents (25.2%).
Young adults primarily receive information from social media (66%) and influencers they follow (50%). Family (43%), friends (41%), national news (26.5%), and local news (22.5%) are also significant sources.
Despite social media’s prominence, trust in its information is moderate, with just over half expressing medium or high trust. Family (72%) and friends (71%) are the most trusted, followed by social media influencers (61%) and colleges (59%). National news, local news, and public media also maintain majority trust levels.
The survey shows a decline in trust across 12 information categories from 2025 to 2026. Personal experiences and community concern motivate over 40% to act on sustainability and social justice, while religious or moral values (29%) and political views (25%) are less influential.
Young adults prefer low-barrier actions like online surveys (41%), signing petitions (30%), and following candidates on social media (24%). Less than 18% would participate in protests or rallies, and fewer would join boycotts or display political signs.
“These findings reinforce what we’re hearing directly from young people: they care deeply, but they’re looking for clearer pathways to make a difference,” said Marylena Mantas-Kourounis, assistant professor of political science and global affairs, in a press release about the survey.
Original Story at www.ncronline.org