Kathmandu— According to a recent AP-NORC poll of 1,165 American adults, the belief in climate change has slightly declined, with 66 percent now saying it is happening compared to 73 percent last year. However, more respondents report that extreme heat is impacting their daily activities, including outdoor routines and vacation plans.

Impact on Daily Life

The poll found that 30 percent of participants said extreme heat had a 'major impact' on their outdoor activities this year, up from 21 percent in July 2024. Similarly, the number of respondents who reported a major impact on vacation and travel plans due to heat increased from eight to 15 percent. Exercise routines, sleep patterns, and commutes were also identified as aspects of daily life increasingly affected by rising temperatures.

Geographic Variations

The survey revealed significant regional differences in how extreme heat is perceived. In the West, for instance, 35 percent of respondents described heat as having a 'major impact' on their outdoor activities, higher than the national average. Democratic respondents were also more likely to report that heat had affected their plans compared to Republican ones.

Economic Impacts

The poll found that 81 percent of Americans said their electricity bills have seen an impact from extreme heat over the last year, up from 69 percent in July 2024. Daemien Williams, a bridge inspector and Democrat, noted, 'I feel like my utility costs probably doubled in the last three or four years.'

Health Concerns

Excessive heat is considered one of the top reasons for weather-related illness and death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that more than 1,220 deaths each year can be connected to heat as a contributing or underlying cause. In 2023, records were broken for heat-related deaths in the US, with an estimated 2,300 people dying due to conditions connected to excessive heat.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.