A new survey from Gallup shows a striking decline in how Americans view the state of their environment, with just 35 percent rating its quality as excellent or good — the lowest level ever recorded in the firm’s annual polling.
The results, released just days before Earth Day, paint a picture of growing unease. According to the survey, 43 percent of respondents described the environment as “fair,” while roughly 20 percent rated it as “poor.” The 35 percent positive rating marks an eight-point drop from last year and falls below the previous low of 39 percent, which had been recorded in both 2009 and 2022.
The findings arrive amid a period of shifting federal priorities. Over the past 15 months, the administration of Donald Trump has moved away from renewable energy initiatives and toward expanded use of fossil fuels. That approach has included easing standards for coal plants, proposing a significant expansion of offshore oil and gas drilling, and increasing efforts to export domestically produced natural gas.
At the same time, the Environmental Protection Agency took a major regulatory step in February by repealing its 2009 endangerment finding. That determination had previously allowed the agency to regulate emissions from new motor vehicles based on the conclusion that greenhouse gases posed a threat to human health.
Public opinion, however, suggests many Americans remain concerned about environmental protections. More than three in five respondents said the government is doing too little to safeguard the environment, a figure that represents the second-highest level ever recorded by Gallup. Only the 68 percent measured in 1992 was higher. By comparison, 57 percent expressed that view just one year ago.
Still, the survey underscores a sharp political divide. More than 90 percent of Democrats said the government is not doing enough, compared to 67 percent of independents and just 23 percent of Republicans. That split extends to broader priorities as well. Nearly 80 percent of Democrats believe environmental protection should take precedence over economic growth, while more than 60 percent of independents agree. Among Republicans, however, 62 percent said economic growth should come first, even if it comes with some environmental trade-offs.
Beyond politics, Americans appear most concerned with issues that directly affect daily life. More than half of respondents said they are deeply worried about the pollution of drinking water and the long-term availability of fresh water for household use. Concerns about pollution in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs also ranked high, with half of respondents expressing a great deal of concern.
Newer challenges are also entering the conversation. Nearly half of those surveyed said they are greatly concerned about the environmental impact of artificial intelligence data centers, reflecting growing awareness of emerging technologies and their potential strain on resources.
The poll, conducted between March 2 and March 18, surveyed 1,000 adults across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., and carries a margin of error of four percentage points.
As debates over energy policy, economic growth, and environmental stewardship continue, the survey highlights a country still grappling with the long-term consequences of industrial progress — and the lingering tension between prosperity and preservation.
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