Home » Environment

Few People Make Major Changes in Response to the Climate Crisis

Despite rising concern about climate change, most people struggle to make significant lifestyle changes, new data reveals key barriers and perceptions worldwide.

By Sneha Tete, Integrated MA, Certified Relationship Coach

Created on Sep 27, 2025

Despite rising concern about climate change, most people struggle to make significant lifestyle changes, new data reveals key barriers and perceptions worldwide.

Widespread public concern about the climate crisis remains high, but new global polling data reveals that few people are willing—or believe it is necessary—to make significant personal changes in their lives. Despite growing anxiety over rising temperatures, natural disasters, and the long-term risks of inaction, most individuals doubt the effectiveness of singular action and remain skeptical about the adequacy of government responses.

Climate Concern: High and Rising, but Follow-Through Lags

Recent Ipsos surveys indicate that public anxiety about climate change has reached record levels worldwide. Across 32 countries, a large majority of respondents recognize the climate emergency and expect continued worsening of environmental conditions in their own countries and globally.

80% expect global temperatures to continue rising, up from 71% in 2017.
72% anticipate more frequent extreme weather events in the coming year.
42% believe parts of their country could become uninhabitable due to climate impacts.
In the United States, 30% reported experiencing an extreme weather event in the past month, although only 17% fear relocation due to climate change is imminent for them personally.

These concerns are not speculative: last year marked the world’s first breach of 1.5°C above preindustrial temperatures, highlighting the urgency observers have warned about for decades.

Knowledge and Understanding: Awareness Without Agency

On a global scale, people recognize that the climate crisis poses grave threats to future generations. According to Ipsos’s 2025 report:

64% believe inaction today will let down future generations.
74% are specifically worried about climate impacts in their country—particularly those living in high-risk regions.

Despite this broad awareness, there is a notable gap between acknowledgement of the problem and willingness to act—a phenomenon experts term the “value-action gap.”

The Personal Action Gap: Why So Few Make Big Changes

While the overwhelming majority of people say they want to protect the environment, very few are making major lifestyle changes to reduce their own climate impact. Ipsos found:

Only 17% believe their personal actions are essential to addressing climate change, down from previous years.
56% believe that humans could slow climate change, but lack the willpower to change.
20% feel it is already too late to stop climate change.

This disconnect can be attributed in part to a lack of belief in the efficacy of individual efforts. Many respondents say that while they do take basic eco-friendly steps (like recycling or reducing energy usage), they doubt these measures alone are enough to address the scale of the problem.

What Kinds of Changes Are People (Not) Making?

The specific behavioral changes that individuals resist vary by region and culture, but common themes include:

Limiting meat and dairy consumption
Reducing air travel
Switching to electric vehicles
Curbing consumption of fast fashion and single-use products
Making home energy renovations

While some of these changes require substantial investments of time or money, other barriers are psychological or stem from perceived lack of collective action.

Why the Reluctance? Main Barriers to Significant Change

According to respondents and analyses from Ipsos, the gap between concern and action is shaped by several factors:

Lack of Faith in Government Leadership: Only 52% globally think their government will introduce more ambitious emissions targets, declining year over year.
Skepticism over Technological Solutions: Just 32% believe a breakthrough technology will solve climate change, unchanged since 2022 despite heavy media coverage of advances like AI.
Diminished Trust in Collective Effort: Many believe their own small changes are nullified in the absence of widespread participation or systemic change.
Cost and Inconvenience: Energy-efficient appliances, electric vehicles, and other sustainable choices are often perceived as unaffordable or impractical for the average person.
Conflicting Priorities: Especially in times of economic strain or instability, personal financial and security concerns may take precedence over environmental action.

Differences by Country and Demographic

The Ipsos data reveals marked differences between countries on climate action and perception:

Country	% Who Agree Government Has Clear Climate Plan	% Who See Country as Climate Leader
Sweden	60%	38%
USA	32%	26%
United Kingdom	37%	32%
Japan	26%	17%
Brazil	56%	30%
Philippines	58%	44%

Source: Ipsos People and Climate Change 2025 Report

Younger people, urban residents, and those in countries with strong environmental policies generally show slightly higher willingness to act—though only a minority in any group are making dramatic changes.

Political Divide and Misinformation

Political orientation further influences both perception and action. In the U.S., for instance, there is a stark partisan gap in opinions:

84% of Democrats believe extreme weather will become more common
Only 38% of Republicans agree

Democrats are also much more likely to perceive recent increases in disasters such as wildfires and heatwaves, reflecting the influence of media consumption, political leaders, and disinformation campaigns.

Is It Too Late? A Growing Sense of Fatalism

Many people are beginning to express climate fatalism: the sense that individual or even governmental actions may be too little, too late. Twenty percent of Americans, for example, say it is already too late to stop climate change.

This attitude can become a self-fulfilling prophecy, leading to lower political pressure and personal effort just as rapid action is most needed.

What Would Inspire People to Change?

When asked what might motivate them to take bolder action, respondents commonly cite:

Clear, trustworthy government leadership with ambitious yet achievable climate policies.
Financial incentives or affordability improvements for sustainable choices (grants, tax breaks).
Visible signs of mass participation—the norm must shift toward low-carbon behaviors.
Political stability and proof that environmental policy doesn’t sacrifice economic security or jobs.
Accessible, reliable information about which actions have the greatest climate impact.

Role of Business, Technology, and Global Cooperation

Few individuals feel empowered to act without leadership from business and policy makers. The Ipsos report notes a need for:

Stronger government mandates and emissions targets
Corporate investment in green technologies and sustainable supply chains
Transparency on climate-related risks and progress
International agreements that raise the standard for all countries

Currently, only a minority of the public believe their own country is a true leader on climate action, highlighting the necessity for both national and international momentum.

Common Misconceptions and the Importance of Accurate Information

One of the emerging challenges is the spread of climate misinformation. This undermines both awareness and action by creating confusion over basic science, projected impacts, and effective solutions. Experts argue that prioritizing climate science education and fact-based reporting is essential for building consensus and combating fatalism.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Are people less concerned about climate change than before?

A: No, concern remains high and is actually increasing according to recent global polls, but the willingness to make serious lifestyle changes has declined.

Q: What are the main barriers to personal climate action?

A: The main barriers are skepticism about effectiveness, cost, inconvenience, lack of government leadership, economic uncertainty, and a desire for systemic change first.

Q: Are there differences in climate attitudes between countries?

A: Yes, there are significant differences, driven by levels of trust in government, cultural views, economic stability, local impacts, and national climate policies.

Q: Is there still time to make a difference?

A: Most scientists say that while some damaging warming is locked in, rapid collective action can still reduce the worst future impacts.

Q: Which personal actions have the largest impact?

A: The most impactful actions include reducing air travel and car use, adopting plant-based diets, improving energy efficiency at home, and voting for pro-climate policies.

Q: What can governments and businesses do to help?

A: Governments and businesses can implement strong emissions targets, invest in renewable energy and infrastructure, promote clear public education, and provide financial incentives for green choices.

Conclusion

Although public concern about climate change is widespread and increasing, there is a clear global reluctance to make significant lifestyle changes without greater leadership and systemic reforms. Closing the gap between awareness and action will require ambitious government policies, business innovation, better information, and strong international cooperation.

References

Author

Sneha TeteBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Sneha is a relationships and lifestyle writer with a strong foundation in applied linguistics and certified training in relationship coaching. She brings over five years of writing experience to thebridalbox, crafting thoughtful, research-driven content that empowers readers to build healthier relationships, boost emotional well-being, and embrace holistic living.

Read full bio of Sneha Tete