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1. Where Americans turn for information during weather emergencies differs by age, but weather apps stand out.
The United States has endured ten polar vortices so far this winter, and the most recent one was the chilliest yet. CivicScience data show nearly one in three Midwesterners and one in four Northeasterners say their lives have personally been affected by extremely cold temperatures this winter.
Severe flooding and tornadoes also hit parts of the Midwest and South ahead of the latest swath of sweeping cold air. During weather emergencies like these, additional data show clear, yet unsurprising, age differences in how they stay informed about weather information: Older adults rely more on local TV news, while younger adults turn to social media. Weather apps, however, are popular across all age groups.
Use this Data: The press, brands, and marketers can use this chart to understand where consumers go for important news and information and gain an idea of how best to reach them as they seek to stay informed.
2. Eco-anxiety jumps following the widespread burst of cold temperatures throughout the country.
Climate change is believed to have led to more intense cold snaps and heavier snowfall during winter. This year, 59% of Americans say they are concerned about climate change – slightly higher than the 56% reported in 2016, but down from a peak of 67% in 2020.
Severe weather events (including polar vortices) can, in turn, contribute to “eco-anxiety” — feelings of worry or fear about the effects of climate change and environmental damage. Last week, the CivicScience Environmental Anxiety Index, which measures eco-anxiety, reached its highest level so far this winter after falling to a six-month low in December.
Take Our Poll: Which weather extreme do you dread the most: extreme cold or extreme heat?
3. As the new administration focuses on government spending, Americans want the federal government to spend more on infrastructure and environmental protection.
Government spending has been a major focus of the new Trump administration. New CivicScience data reveal that Americans are now slightly more likely to support increased government funding for infrastructure, transportation, and green energy and environmental protection than they were a year ago. They’re also increasingly likely to prefer if the government maintained its current level of spend on social benefit programs. While the percentage who believe the government should spend more on public education held steady, respondents were five percentage points more likely to say public education funding should be decreased.
Additionally, support for higher military and defense spending has declined, while more respondents favor maintaining current levels. There has also been a slight increase in those advocating for reduced military spending.
