Climate change has been a talking point for decades, but have we made the advances that we think? It depends. Many people are largely concerned about the rising temperature of our planet — eco-anxiety is now a common reason to visit a therapist — and the warming and acidification of our oceans. In recent years, we’ve been seeing stronger hurricanes, hotter temperatures, and more intense tornadoes. (In fact, here’s every billion dollar weather disaster in the U.S. in the past year.) But maybe there’s not cause for worry just yet. A Clemson University professor and his research team recently identified that, while the planet has gotten warmer, the team’s findings fail to support a climate change “surge,” or rapid acceleration. This might bring some relief to people with eco-anxiety. But it’s also important to note, the team said, that this study does not mean climate change is fake. Climate change and rising temperatures have led to an ongoing warming — and we need to make changes before we put into motion changes that cannot be stopped.
Climate change worry is negatively correlated with factors like income and educational attainment. However, many areas that are less concerned about climate change (like the spots on our list) are also relatively low risk for natural disaster, as measured by the FEMA National Risk Index. To determine the countries that are not worried about climate change, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data on climate change belief from the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication. Counties were ranked based on the percentage of surveyed residents who answered that they are “not very” or “not at all worried” about global warming in 2023. Supplemental data on median household income and the percentage of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree is from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey and is for 2022. Data on natural hazard risk rating is from FEMA.
Why This is Important
Climate change represents one of the biggest threats facing civilization as a whole. Yet views on climate change and global warming remain sharply divided across the United States. Climate skepticism or denialism comes from a variety of complex factors. Some people resist climate change because it affects their jobs and livelihoods (for example, people working in the fossil fuel industry); others are distrustful of science, and others feel frightened by the scope of climate change, making it easier to deny it than to accept that it’s happening. But there is no Planet B — and we need to do a better job at protecting the planet we’re on. Understanding what communities do not believe in climate change gives us a better understanding of who this demographic is and where we can improve climate education.
Here are the U.S. counties where climate change skepticism is highest:
50. Adams County, OH
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 55.6%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 51.2%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 15.2%
- Median household income: $46,234
- FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Low
- County seat: West Union
49. Muhlenberg County, KY
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 55.7%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 50.0%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 13.3%
- Median household income: $50,935
- FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Low
- County seat: Greenville
48. Fentress County, TN
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 55.7%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 53.1%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 16.3%
- Median household income: $47,884
- FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
- County seat: Jamestown
47. Butler County, KY
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 55.7%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 52.0%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 11.3%
- Median household income: $47,589
- FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
- County seat: Morgantown
46. Logan County, WV
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 55.7%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 52.5%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 13.3%
- Median household income: $42,194
- FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Low
- County seat: Logan
45. Jackson County, AL
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 55.8%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 52.2%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 16.2%
- Median household income: $46,748
- FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Low
- County seat: Scottsboro
44. Wyoming County, WV
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 55.8%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 52.2%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 11.4%
- Median household income: $44,510
- FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
- County seat: Pineville
43. Geneva County, AL
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 55.9%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 53.5%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 13.9%
- Median household income: $47,608
- FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Low
- County seat: Geneva
42. Russell County, KY
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 55.9%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 52.2%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 16.4%
- Median household income: $48,220
- FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
- County seat: Jamestown
41. Itawamba County, MS
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 55.9%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 54.6%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 15.3%
- Median household income: $57,252
- FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
- County seat: Fulton
40. Converse County, WY
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 56.1%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 51.7%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 22.0%
- Median household income: $79,235
- FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
- County seat: Douglas
39. Marion County, AL
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 56.1%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 53.4%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 11.8%
- Median household income: $49,743
- FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Low
- County seat: Hamilton
38. Oliver County, ND
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 56.1%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 52.3%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 21.6%
- Median household income: $69,722
- FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
- County seat: Center
37. Blount County, AL
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 56.2%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 51.4%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 14.7%
- Median household income: $57,440
- FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Low
- County seat: Oneonta
36. Pierce County, GA
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 56.2%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 54.1%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 17.0%
- Median household income: $54,861
- FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Low
- County seat: Blackshear
35. Walker County, AL
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 56.2%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 50.3%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 15.3%
- Median household income: $52,987
- FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Low
- County seat: Jasper
34. Spencer County, IN
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 56.2%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 53.9%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 19.9%
- Median household income: $66,168
- FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
- County seat: Rockport
33. Houston County, TN
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 56.4%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 50.3%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 11.4%
- Median household income: $51,544
- FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
- County seat: Erin
32. Calhoun County, WV
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 56.4%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 53.2%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 8.3%
- Median household income: $39,031
- FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
- County seat: Grantsville
31. Brantley County, GA
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 56.4%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 52.8%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 10.3%
- Median household income: $40,166
- FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Low
- County seat: Nahunta
30. Scott County, TN
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 56.5%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 52.4%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 10.2%
- Median household income: $39,744
- FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
- County seat: Huntsville
29. Glascock County, GA
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 56.5%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 52.7%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 12.9%
- Median household income: $60,469
- FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
- County seat: Gibson
28. Lamar County, AL
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 56.6%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 51.4%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 10.2%
- Median household income: $49,565
- FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
- County seat: Vernon
27. Jack County, TX
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 56.7%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 49.8%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 15.5%
- Median household income: $58,861
- FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
- County seat: Jacksboro
26. Campbell County, WY
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 56.7%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 50.6%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 21.9%
- Median household income: $93,315
- FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Low
- County seat: Gillette
25. Wayne County, TN
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 56.8%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 52.3%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 12.2%
- Median household income: $49,360
- FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
- County seat: Waynesboro
24. Tishomingo County, MS
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 56.8%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 51.8%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 14.8%
- Median household income: $45,545
- FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
- County seat: Iuka
23. Hardin County, TN
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 56.9%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 54.1%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 15.8%
- Median household income: $46,902
- FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Low
- County seat: Savannah
22. Leslie County, KY
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 56.9%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 51.9%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 11.6%
- Median household income: $37,019
- FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
- County seat: Hyden
21. Millard County, UT
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 57.0%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 50.2%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 23.6%
- Median household income: $69,403
- FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
- County seat: Fillmore
20. Gallia County, OH
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 57.0%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 51.2%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 18.2%
- Median household income: $55,533
- FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
- County seat: Gallipolis
19. Wabash County, IL
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 57.1%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 50.1%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 18.5%
- Median household income: $54,074
- FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
- County seat: Mount Carmel
18. Martin County, KY
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 57.1%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 52.4%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 10.8%
- Median household income: $45,265
- FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
- County seat: Inez
17. Ohio County, IN
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 57.2%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 51.1%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 15.7%
- Median household income: $66,333
- FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
- County seat: Rising Sun
16. Monroe County, OH
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 57.3%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 48.3%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 10.7%
- Median household income: $55,381
- FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
- County seat: Woodsfield
15. Hancock County, TN
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 57.3%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 50.7%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 9.9%
- Median household income: $31,809
- FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
- County seat: Sneedville
14. Cameron Parish, LA
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 57.4%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 50.0%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 14.4%
- Median household income: $69,847
- FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Low
- County seat: Cameron
13. Heard County, GA
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 57.5%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 48.2%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 11.6%
- Median household income: $62,965
- FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
- County seat: Franklin
12. Holmes County, FL
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 57.5%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 54.9%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 11.0%
- Median household income: $46,063
- FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
- County seat: Bonifay
11. Gibson County, IN
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 57.5%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 50.8%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 18.0%
- Median household income: $64,153
- FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Low
- County seat: Princeton
10. Jasper County, IL
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 57.8%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 50.0%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 21.4%
- Median household income: $67,429
- FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
- County seat: Newton
9. Cullman County, AL
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 57.8%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 50.2%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 18.3%
- Median household income: $58,119
- FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Low
- County seat: Cullman
8. Mason County, WV
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 57.9%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 46.4%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 15.5%
- Median household income: $53,058
- FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
- County seat: Point Pleasant
7. Meigs County, OH
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 57.9%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 49.4%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 11.5%
- Median household income: $46,255
- FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
- County seat: Pomeroy
6. Stewart County, TN
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 58.0%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 50.2%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 16.8%
- Median household income: $57,257
- FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
- County seat: Dover
5. Lewis County, KY
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 58.4%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 48.5%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 10.2%
- Median household income: $36,662
- FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
- County seat: Vanceburg
4. Emery County, UT
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 58.4%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 49.1%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 15.6%
- Median household income: $67,056
- FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
- County seat: Castle Dale
3. Mercer County, ND
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 58.4%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 49.0%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 19.9%
- Median household income: $82,155
- FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
- County seat: Stanton
2. Lawrence County, KY
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 59.4%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 45.4%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 10.9%
- Median household income: $42,488
- FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
- County seat: Louisa
1. Grant County, WV
- Residents who are not worried about climate change: 59.7%
- Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 47.2%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 13.2%
- Median household income: $52,877
- FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
- County seat: Petersburg
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