Texans are increasingly feeling the heat—literally and figuratively—as the latest Texas Trends survey by the University of Houston's Hobby School of Public Affairs and Texas Southern University's Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs reveals. The survey highlights the growing impact of climate change on Texans, especially among lower-income communities and those who have experienced power outages.
Key Findings:
- Perceptions of this summer's heat vary significantly by income level and experience with power outages.
- Awareness of cooling centers rises with the frequency of power outages.
- Concern about climate change remains steady, but Texans increasingly recognize the state's vulnerability to extreme weather events.
The survey shows that while concern about climate change is consistent with previous years, the perception of hotter summers is more pronounced among lower- and middle-income groups. For instance, over half of the lower-income respondents reported that this summer feels hotter than previous ones, compared to only 30% of upper-income respondents.
"Texans are waking up to the reality of hotter summers and the broader implications of climate change," said Gail Buttorff, associate director of the Center for Public Policy at UH. "However, there's a concerning trend of decreasing community support for using tax dollars to protect against extreme weather."
Interestingly, those who have experienced multiple power outages are more likely to feel the effects of rising temperatures. The survey found that nearly 47.5% of respondents with two or more blackouts believe this summer is hotter, compared to just 37.6% of those who haven't experienced an outage.
"This correlation between power outages and the perception of heat underscores the need for better infrastructure and communication about relief resources," noted Pablo Pinto, director of the Center for Public Policy at UH.
Despite the heightened awareness of climate risks, support for community protection measures, such as using tax funds, remains lukewarm. Only 20.4% believe support is increasing, while 10.4% think it's declining.
"As temperatures continue to rise, educating Texans on how to protect themselves becomes increasingly critical."
—Maria Perez Argüelles, research assoicate at the Hobby School of Public Affairs
As extreme weather events become more frequent, the survey emphasizes the need for increased public awareness and access to resources like cooling centers. Currently, only 6.3% of respondents have used these centers, though awareness is higher among those who have experienced blackouts.
"Improving communication channels about the availability and location of relief centers is crucial," said Maria Perez Argüelles, research assoicate at the Hobby School of Public Affairs. "As temperatures continue to rise, educating Texans on how to protect themselves becomes increasingly critical."
