A multinational poll conducted for Earth Day 2020 shows a 71% majority of the global public are as concerned about climate change as they are about COVID-19, and two thirds support a green economic recovery from the crisis.
71% Think the Climate Crisis Is as Concerning as COVID-19
According to the results of a new survey, seven in ten people from around the world believe that the climate crisis is as serious an emergency as COVID-19, and a similar proportion feel their government will be failing them if it doesn’t act on climate change now. Two thirds globally support a green economic recovery from the crisis.
65% agree governments should prioritise climate protection when rebuilding economies
The Earth Day 2020 survey measured public opinion from many of the world’s principle producers, buyers, and populations, and almost all metrics suggest that a large majority of the world’s citizens consider climate change an important aspect of moving forward after the coronavirus pandemic, reported the GoodNewsNetwork.
Conducted by Ipsos, the global market research and public opinion specialists, the survey polled 28,029 people aged 16 to 74 between April 16 and April 19, 2020.
The respondents came from 14 countries: Australia, Brazil, China, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Spain, and the US. Of those surveyed, 71% agreed that in the long term, the climate crisis is as detrimental as COVID-19.
However, when asked if they agreed or disagreed that economic recovery should be prioritised, even if it’s at the expense of the environment, 44% of those polled agreed, and 48% disagreed. When asked if they agreed or disagreed that it’s important that governments prioritise climate protection when rebuilding economies after the coronavirus lockdowns, 65% of respondents agreed.
Read or download the Earth Day 2020 Survey
Over half polled will not vote for politicians who do not tackle climate crisis
Earlier (between 21 Feb—6 March 6 of this year), Ipsos surveyed another set of 20,590 adults aged 16 to 74 on climate-related topics; this time, the respondents hailed from 29 countries. This survey was conducted before many countries had instituted coronavirus lockdowns.
Of the 20,590 people surveyed, 68% agreed that if their country does not act now to combat the climate crisis, it will be failing the people of their country. Similarly, 57% of those polled agreed that they would be turned off from voting for a political candidate if their policies do not deal with the climate crisis.
But how willing are people to take personal action on climate change?
Of the 20,590 people surveyed, within the next year, 57% said they would avoid purchases with a lot of packaging, 52% said they would avoid buying new goods (instead using what they have or shopping secondhand), 49% said they would save water at home, 41% said they would consider alternatives to air travel, 41% said they would eat less meat, and 35% said they would consume less dairy.
Read or download the Earth Day 2020 Survey
Source: GreenMatters
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