A new report released by the Walton Family Foundation and Gallup shines a light on Gen Z’s growing concern about water issues, revealing a generation deeply affected by the realities of climate change. The research, which focuses on Gen Z’s experiences with water and its connection to climate change, paints a sobering picture of a generation grappling with the consequences of a changing world.
The report reveals that a significant portion of Gen Z – 31% – believes that their generation will likely face a shortage of clean water in the future. This concern about water scarcity is deeply intertwined with their anxieties about climate change. In fact, 36% of Gen Z express worry about having to relocate due to climate change and its impact on water resources. Furthermore, a vast majority (73%) of Gen Zers express concern about at least one water-related problem in their towns or cities, including water pollution, flood risks, and limited access to clean drinking water. This concern is further amplified by the majority of Gen Z expressing worry about pollution of lakes, rivers, and oceans (72%), the health of fish and oceans (66%), and the future of the US food supply (58%).
Moira Mcdonald, Environment Program Director of the Walton Family Foundation, underscores the significance of these findings, stating, “Gen Z has grown up experiencing climate change through water. Floods, major storms, droughts, and wildfires – water makes the realities of climate change very tangible in people’s lives.” She emphasizes the urgent need for solutions that prioritize both human well-being and the health of our natural world. Notably, the report underscores the widespread consensus among Gen Z on these issues, transcending political and regional differences. A staggering 93% of voting-age Gen Z agree on the importance of protecting water bodies from pollution. This shared belief extends across party lines, with majorities of both Republicans and Democrats expressing concern about water pollution. Additionally, while concerns about clean water availability vary slightly by region, the consensus across different regions reinforces the widespread nature of this issue.
Furthermore, the report highlights Gen Z’s belief in the accountability of politicians and governments in addressing water quality issues. A significant 88% agree that both national and local governments have a responsibility to improve water resources. Despite this belief, a majority of Gen Z (73%) believe the US is not doing enough to protect water resources. This sentiment underscores their expectation for proactive action and underscores their commitment to holding leaders accountable for environmental protection.
Stephanie Marken, senior partner at Gallup, emphasizes the importance of this research in understanding Gen Z’s perspective on the environment: “As part of a wider body of research on Gen Z’s perspective on the environment, this report finds that water is playing an essential role in how Gen Z thinks about climate change.” She points out the significance of these concerns transcending political, regional, and racial differences, highlighting Gen Z’s potential to serve as a unifying force for positive change. The report is based on a Gallup PanelTM web survey conducted between August 6 and August 14, 2024, with a representative sample of 2,832 individuals aged 12 to 27 from across the United States.
