Climate change increases the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, making people more vulnerable in a variety of ways1-2. It is essential to determine if individuals believe they are susceptible to the effects of climate change in order to develop effective adaptation strategies.

Climate change has contributed to extreme weather occurrences in Utah in recent years. For instance, in the summer of 2022, there was a severe or extreme drought in all of Utah's counties3. Health effects of drought vary with intensity4 and can cause climate related deaths directly and indirectly, such as by worsening air quality which can increase cardiovascular and pulmonary disease5-8. According to most climate models, such events are likely to continue as temperature is expected to increase and snowpack to decrease in the western U.S. and Utah9. A recent statewide survey found that Utahns are concerned about various environmental and climatic issues including increased temperature, poor air quality, drought/lack of water etc10. Moreover, since 2020, more Utahns agree with the scientific consensus that human activities are causing climate change11.

This research brief uses representative statewide survey data from the 2023 Utah People and Environment Poll (UPEP) to understand how Utah residents consider themselves vulnerable to climate change, how prepared they think they are for climate change, and if they believe they need to plan or prepare for climate change.