In Mexico, eight out of ten people claim that climate change is affecting their community, positioning the country as the middle-income nation with the highest perception of climate impact, according to a global survey conducted by Pew Research in 25 economies.
This data reflects a growing awareness about climatic phenomena and their direct consequences on daily life, both in rural and urban areas.
Droughts and Extreme Heat: The Most Urgent Threats
Among the perceived risks, droughts stand out as the main concern, mentioned by 79% of respondents. They are followed by:
- High temperatures: 12%.
- Rising sea levels: 5%.
- Floods and storms: 4%.
These data show that water scarcity and heat waves are the most urgent problems for the Mexican population, affecting agriculture, public health, and urban infrastructure.
Education and Youth: Key Factors in Climate Awareness
The survey also revealed correlations between education level, age, and perception of climate risks:
- Those with secondary or higher education show greater concern.
- Younger people under 35 express 86% concern, compared to 77% of older adults.
This indicates that new generations are more aware and motivated to act against climate threats, representing an opportunity to strengthen environmental education and citizen participation.
Willingness to Change, but Less Concern than in 2015
Although climate change remains a relevant issue, overall concern has slightly decreased compared to previous years. In 2025, 83% of Mexican adults say they are concerned about the personal harm that climate change could cause them, a drop of 9 percentage points from the 92% recorded in 2015.
Despite this decline, the willingness to act remains significant:
- 86% are willing to change their lifestyle to reduce the effects of climate change.
- 14% are not willing to do anything.
This civic commitment underscores the need for effective public policies and environmental education programs that channel this willingness into concrete actions.
Climate Responsibility and International Distrust
Most Mexicans (64%) believe that a country’s carbon emissions volume is more relevant than its wealth in determining its responsibility for climate action.
This implies that countries that pollute more should take a more active role in mitigation. However, 51% distrust the international community to generate effective solutions, reflecting a pessimism towards global agreements and multilateral cooperation.
Local Awareness and Personal Action
The perception of climate change in Mexico combines environmental awareness, social concern, and individual commitment. Droughts and high temperatures are the main identified problems, while education and youth emerge as drivers of change.
Despite the distrust towards international solutions, there is a significant willingness to adopt sustainable habits, reinforcing the importance of local policies, environmental education, and community participation to tackle the climate crisis from the ground up.
