Are you one of the silent climate majority?

Surveys show about eight in 10 people want stronger climate action, yet think they are a minority. Awakening this supermajority is vital to fight global warming.

- David Fogarty

Imagine an issue the vast majority of people support. You would expect politicians and businesses to tap into this and do something about it.

Climate change is one such issue. Major surveys and academic research show that between 80 and 89 per cent of the world's people want their governments to do more to address a rapidly heating planet.

But here's the paradox: many of these people think they are in the minority and feel their views and voices aren't being heard. They feel frustrated, sidelined and fear that others might disagree with them. So, many keep silent.

That might seem hard to believe at first glance. After all, governments and businesses have pledged net-zero targets, imposed taxes or reduction targets on carbon emissions, corporations now have chief sustainability officers and renewable energy investment is soaring globally.

These are all vital steps forward. Sounds like governments are listening, right?

Sadly, we're still far off course. Global greenhouse gas emissions are still growing, temperatures are spiking and climate impacts are worsening. And that's worrying more and more people and hurting their livelihoods and bank balance.

Here are two examples: A recent study by the World Weather Attribution network and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine found climate change caused an estimated 1,500 deaths during the European heatwave in late June and early July 2025.

From 1980 to August 2024, the United States suffered 396 weather and climate disasters where overall damages for each reached at least US$1 billion (S$1.28 billion). The total cost of these events exceeds US$2.78 trillion. Extreme storms, floods and fires have made insurance unaffordable, or unavailable, in an increasing number of areas in the US and other nations.

There's a growing urgency for action—yet strangely there is public paralysis.