Students are worried about this year’s drastic climate change events – and say they won’t let politicians continue to ignore the problem. 

“It’s a matter of survival,” said Valencia Hepburn, IT Cyber Security junior. “This generation feels as if we have to expedite our dreams, goals or aspirations before the earth is … destroyed.” 

The federal government reports that 2023 has been a milestone in climate change. The summer brought the world’s hottest temperatures and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said the country has set a record for climate-related natural disasters in a single year, including fires, floods and ferocious winds.

The combined estimated cost of the 23 disasters reported through September is more than $57.6 billion.

“Politicians have been blind to [climate] change,” said Aleeha Zafar, doctoral candidate in Technology studying human-computer interaction and extended reality. “We need a government that is pro-climate change and that is intending to make legislation to … reduce the effects of climate change.”

Students say they will try to drive improvement by supporting pro-climate-change candidates.

“I will always support and vote for candidates that actually have concerns and take actions to rectify climate change,” said Madison Sanders, Marketing junior.

Emilee Allen, a graduate in Technology , agrees.

“I am definitely more likely to vote for a candidate who promises to fight climate change. This is one of the main things I look for in candidates, especially presidential candidates.”

Andrew Urycki, a senior Integrated Health Sciences major, does not understand politicians who are not passionate about the issue. 

“If a candidate doesn’t believe in climate change, they are immediately written [off] as a viable candidate for me,” he said. “I don’t see how they can’t discuss it and make stopping or slowing it down part of their campaign.”

A survey of more than 1,000 U.S. adults last month found most are increasingly concerned about climate change. About 55% of respondents said they have grown significantly or somewhat more concerned about the effects of climate change in recent years. About half (49%) said they have personally experienced extreme weather events in the past month.

Extreme heat (71%) tops the list of personal extreme weather experiences, followed by poor air quality (49%), severe thunderstorms (39%) and heavy rainfall (38%). 

The survey’s most surprising finding: About one in four (23%) respondents said it will get more difficult to stay in the area they currently live in due to climate change.

The survey of more than 1,000 U.S. adults was conducted by the polling company IPSOS on behalf of USA Today.

“Climate change is very important for our generation, especially since our children would be growing up in this climate,” said Natalia Chrzaszcz, a senior Psychology major. “It scares me to think about how different life will be for my children, grandchildren … as a result of climate change.

 “I do not like telling people who to vote for, but I don’t think a candidate who refuses to talk about climate change should be in office,” she said. “If someone doesn’t talk about climate change in their campaigns, I will not vote for them.”

Johnathan Bradford and Parker Max contributed to this report.