Baltimore residents fear personal impacts of climate change

In late 2023, a survey conducted by Johns Hopkins University revealed that a significant majority of residents in the Baltimore area are concerned about the potential impacts of climate change. The survey gathered responses from 1,532 individuals, including 818 from Baltimore City and 534 from Baltimore County. The results showed that 73% of the respondents fear climate change will affect them directly during their lifetime. The concern was notably higher among Baltimore City residents, with 79% expressing fear compared to 69% from the county. Additionally, the data indicated that most residents anticipate rising costs associated with climate change over the next five years. The survey highlighted regional differences in attitudes toward climate change, particularly influenced by race and economic class. Unlike national trends that suggest younger demographics are more concerned about climate change, the findings in Baltimore indicated that worry remained consistent across age groups. However, a distinct discrepancy was noted at the intersection of race and income, revealing that high-income Black residents were more likely to express concerns than their White counterparts. For instance, 91% of wealthy Black residents with incomes over $110,000 voiced fears about future climate change impacts, whereas only 62% of similarly wealthy White residents did so. Further supporting findings related to public sentiment about climate change, research from the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication surfaced in 2024, indicating that eight in ten Americans favor funding research into renewable energy and approximately 75% support the regulation of carbon emissions. Moreover, over 60% of the population believes that Congress should play a more active role in addressing issues related to climate change. This backdrop is vital as Maryland has engaged in conversations about renewable energy initiatives and its efforts to enhance electric vehicle infrastructure. In the realm of sports, notable figures such as Lord Coe, potential president of the International Olympic Committee, have begun suggesting that the traditional timing of events like the Summer Olympics may no longer be feasible due to climate change. Coe speculated that by 2040, holding summer Olympics might become impractical, urging a need for adjustments to global sporting calendars. This ongoing dialogue reflects the urgent need to confront climate change effects across various sectors and indicates a growing recognition that climate-related concerns are deeply intertwined with economic, social, and cultural elements.