In the aftermath of the exceedingly destructive 2024 hurricane season, Floridians are confronting an escalating climate crisis marked by increasingly severe tropical storms and a growing economic strain linked to homeowners insurance. A recent survey conducted by Florida Atlantic University (FAU) sheds light on public sentiment, revealing that more than two-thirds of residents in the state express moderate to extreme concern about the intensification in the frequency and strength of hurricanes. This deepening apprehension reflects a broader recognition of the tangible consequences of climate change and its intersection with economic and social resilience.
The 2024 hurricane season, distinguished by the relentless onslaught of Category 4 Hurricane Helene and Category 5 Hurricane Milton, was unprecedented in its ferocity, directly attributable to record-high ocean surface temperatures. These anomalously warm waters serve as a critical energy source for hurricane development, allowing storms to achieve greater intensity and longevity. The survey participants clearly connect these climatic shifts to their lived experiences, notably the escalating premiums and availability challenges associated with homeowners insurance—the latter representing a profound economic vulnerability for many Floridians.
Data indicates that 54% of the survey respondents harbor concern about the affordability and sustainability of homeowners insurance amidst a changing climate. This worry is substantiated by recent reports, including a 2023 analysis by LexisNexis Risk Solutions, highlighting a nearly 60% rise in average insurance premiums in Florida from 2015 to 2023. This surge is the most pronounced in any state nationwide and reflects insurance companies’ recalibration of risk in response to escalating hurricane damage liabilities. Such trends underscore an urgent need to understand the systemic factors driving insurance market instability linked to environmental volatility.
Colin Polsky, Ph.D., associate vice president for FAU’s Broward campuses and a professor of geosciences at the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, contextualizes these findings in light of Floridians’ evolving awareness. He emphasizes that the public is increasingly “connecting the dots” between anthropogenic climate change and the extreme weather events reshaping their environment, as well as the socioeconomic repercussions unfolding through insurance markets. This cognitive shift in public perception underscores a crucial juncture where scientific understanding begins to align with community realities and policy imperatives.
The survey, part of FAU’s Center for Environmental Studies’ ongoing longitudinal research, represents the 12th iteration since 2019 and was updated in 2024 to reference The Invading Sea, the center-managed platform dedicated to climate discourse. Notably, 38% of respondents registered an “extreme concern” level regarding hurricane intensity and frequency—the highest since the survey’s inception—demonstrating a trend of escalating public alarm. Concurrently, 29% reported moderate concern, with diminishing percentages expressing less worry or outright dismissal, indicating a shifting baseline of risk awareness fueled by recent hurricane impacts.
Beyond immediate meteorological fears, Floridians express robust support for enhanced governmental climate intervention. Approximately 65% advocate for more vigorous efforts at both state and federal levels to mitigate and adapt to climate change effects. Party affiliation nuances these attitudes, with overwhelming Democratic support (83%) and a majority of Republicans and independents endorsing increased government action. This cross-partisan backing reflects a complex political landscape where climate concern transcends traditional ideological boundaries, possibly influenced by direct exposure to climate-related hazards.
This public endorsement has tangible policy implications, as Polsky notes that despite rhetoric opposing climate action within Florida’s executive and legislative branches, state-level adaptation measures persist. The resilience of such measures may hinge on this solid public backing, highlighting the potential of citizen engagement to sustain climate policy momentum even in challenging political environments. Understanding these dynamics is essential for crafting effective governance strategies in climate-vulnerable regions.
The survey also reveals significant support for renewable energy expansion, with 72% of Floridians favoring diversification of the state’s energy portfolio to include greater renewable electricity generation. This reflects growing recognition of the environmental, economic, and social benefits inherent in transitioning away from fossil fuel dependence, particularly in a state like Florida, where climate risks are acute. The integration of renewable energy sources is framed not just as an environmental imperative but a strategic adaptation to an increasingly volatile climate system.
Education emerges as another focal point, with nearly two-thirds of respondents endorsing the teaching of climate science within K-12 curricula. This consensus highlights collective acknowledgement of the role of formal education in equipping future generations with the knowledge and critical thinking skills necessary to navigate and address climate challenges. Curriculum development targeting climate literacy can thus be viewed as an investment in long-term societal resilience.
Political engagement related to climate issues also exhibits notable divides. While a majority of Floridians express a propensity to support candidates committed to reducing climate change impacts, this inclination varies across party lines. Democrats show a strong majority (70%) while independents and Republicans demonstrate more modest support (48% and 39%, respectively). Polsky points out that this expressed voter preference has yet to translate into proportional electoral outcomes, suggesting complexities in how climate concerns influence actual voting behavior amid broader political dynamics.
Statistically, the survey found that approximately 88% of Floridians acknowledge the reality of climate change, a figure consistent with prior FAU surveys and markedly higher than the national average. This widespread acceptance signals a foundational shift in public consciousness, providing a fertile ground for advancing climate mitigation and adaptation initiatives. It also underscores the importance of localized data in understanding and responding to regional climate attitudes and experiences.
Conducted over a three-day span in March 2025, the survey encompasses a diverse sample of 1,400 Floridians aged 18 and older, weighted to mirror demographic parameters across age, income, education, gender, and region. Administered in both English and Spanish, this methodological rigor bolsters confidence in the representativeness of findings and their applicability to public policy discussions. However, as with all survey research, subsets analyzed may reflect greater margins of error, warranting cautious interpretation of finer analytic distinctions.
The findings from this extensive survey provide critical insights into the intersection of environmental hazards, economic pressures, and public policy in a climate-vulnerable state. They affirm a populace increasingly attuned to the escalating risks posed by climate change-induced hurricanes and economically burdensome insurance markets, while simultaneously demonstrating a readiness to endorse governmental action, renewable energy development, and climate education. These insights offer a valuable guidepost for policymakers, researchers, and advocates aiming to craft resilient and equitable responses to Florida’s mounting climate challenges.
Subject of Research: Climate change impacts on public perception, hurricane resilience, homeowners insurance, and climate policy in Florida.
Article Title: Floridians’ Growing Concern Over Intensifying Hurricanes and Homeowners Insurance Amid Climate Crisis
News Publication Date: 22-Apr-2025
Web References:
– https://www.fau.edu/
– https://www.ces.fau.edu/ces-bepi/
– https://www.theinvadingsea.com/
Image Credits: Alex Dolce, Florida Atlantic University
Keywords: Climate change, Hurricanes, Social surveys, Insurance, Renewable energy, Environmental methods, Environmental management, Public opinion, Climate policy, Energy policy, Ecological adaptation, Environmental issues, Environmental education
