Nearly 50 percent of people expect climate change to harm their health within 5 years

While there are many personal impacts of climate change, new data shows people are most concerned about one: their health.

Globally, 45 percent of people believe climate change will negatively affect their personal health in the next five years, making health a potential rallying point for climate action, according to Trellis data partner GlobeScan. Additionally, 41 percent expect climate change to worsen their personal safety and well-being, while 40 percent foresee a decline in their emotional and psychological state, highlighting the deep and multifaceted anxieties people associate with climate disruption.

Financial vulnerability is also a concern, although less so than physical or emotional impacts, with 37 percent of respondents believing their financial situation will deteriorate due to climate change. This reinforces the tension between recognizing climate risks and hesitating to make financial sacrifices to address them. 

What this means

Health concerns are emerging as a strong personal link to climate change and a major opportunity to drive action. People are more worried about the effects of climate change on their health and well-being than on their finances, making health a powerful and universal motivator. Framing climate change as a public health issue shifts the conversation from distant environmental threats to immediate personal impacts such as cleaner air, safer water and reduced risk of disease. Highlighting these tangible benefits can make climate action more relatable and widely supported, helping to engage people beyond traditional environmental audiences.

Based on GlobeScan’s Societal Shift project, which surveyed nearly 32,000 people in 33 countries in July and August 2025.

The post Nearly 50 percent of people expect climate change to harm their health within 5 years appeared first on Trellis.