An examination of extreme weather events and their health and well-being impacts on climate change activism behaviors in the United States

Carl Latkin (), Lauren Dayton, Julia Ross, Ananya Bhaktaram, Ryan Kennedy and Carol Vidal
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Carl Latkin: Johns Hopkins University, Department of Health Behavior and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health
Lauren Dayton: Johns Hopkins University, Department of Health Behavior and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health
Julia Ross: Johns Hopkins University, Department of Health Behavior and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health
Ananya Bhaktaram: Johns Hopkins University, Department of Health Behavior and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health
Ryan Kennedy: Johns Hopkins University, Department of Health Behavior and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health
Carol Vidal: Johns Hopkins University, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine

Climatic Change, 2025, vol. 178, issue 12, No 17, 21 pages

Abstract: Abstract Climate change activism is crucial to promoting effective climate change mitigation and adaptation policies. This study examined the relationship between experiencing extreme weather events, the health and well-being impact of extreme weather events among respondents and their household members, and engagement in climate change activism. Survey data were weighted to create a representative sample of U.S. adults (N = 2,646) and assessed exposure to tornadoes, hurricanes or severe tropical storms, extreme heatwaves, wildfires, major flooding, major droughts or water shortages, rising sea levels, and severe cold weather or winter storms. The impacts of these events on the health and well-being of household members were also assessed. Multivariable logistic regression models examined correlates of climate change activism behaviors. Exposure to extreme weather events was common, with a median of two extreme weather events reported over the past five years. More than 10% reported at least one serious health problem in their household. 22.8% of respondents reported engagement in climate change activism. In the multivariable analyses, exposure to six of the seven extreme weather events, as well as extreme weather-related impacts such as serious financial troubles, displacement from one’s home, and major property damage, were significantly associated with engagement in climate change activism. The study results suggest that many U.S. residents have experienced extreme weather events, and that both personal experiences with such events and serious health impacts among respondents or their household members from these events were associated with increased climate change activism.

Keywords: Climate change; Activism; Collective action; Extreme weather; Mental health; Physical health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/s10584-025-04065-5

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