New research from the Walton Family Foundation and Gallup finds that extreme weather is straining the community conditions that help people build better futures, including jobs, housing, trusted neighbors and natural spaces. Nearly four in 10 Americans say extreme weather damaged their community in the past year. Just 62% of adults in affected communities say they can shape their own path, compared with 71% of those in unaffected communities.
The findings show the toll can persist after an extreme weather event. Among Americans in affected communities, 57% worry about more damage in the next year. At the same time, 84% of Americans say access to nature improves quality of life in their communities. The findings underscore the important role that protecting nature plays in helping people and communities thrive.
