Poll: 58% Say Climate Threatens American Dream

A majority of likely U.S. voters surveyed say climate change could hinder their ability to achieve or maintain the American Dream over the next 20 years, including 42 percent of Republicans, even as voters rank the cost of living as a more immediate concern. The threat is especially tangible for homeowners: Sierra Isley and her partner narrowly avoided buying a home in Asheville before Hurricane Helene flooded their rental and devastated nearby homes. As floods and fires damage property and raise insurance costs, homeownership—the traditional route to building wealth—has become more precarious, with one analysis projecting climate risks could reduce U.S. home values by nearly $1.5 trillion by 2055.