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Global Trends
Global Poll Shows Differences in Attitudes Toward Climate Change Views on the topic vary based on geographic location, according to a YouGov study. — By Ilana Koegelenberg
DRASTIC ACTION NEEDED
A
new YouGov study of 30,000 people in 28 countries (see https://bit.ly/2kjVjVV) has uncovered noticeable differences in attitudes around the world towards whether or not climate change is a real problem and the extent to which human activity is responsible for it. YouGov, a U.K-based online research organization, found that the people of India (71%) are the most likely to think that the climate is changing and human activity is the main reason for it, while the least likely are Norwegians and Saudi Arabians at 35%. The poll concluded that U.S. residents are the most likely to believe that climate change isn’t happening (6%) or if it is, it has nothing to do with human activity (9%). But these numbers are in the minority and in most countries, only 0-3% of people are in denial about climate change. Across the world, people tend to expect that climate change will have a large or moderate impact on their own lives, the study found. There is, however, a notable East/West divide. “People in Eastern and Middle Eastern countries tend to be much more likely to think that climate change will have a
Source: YouGov
Base
Accelerate Magazine // October 2019
great impact than those in the West,” it said. For instance, while 75% of Filipinos and 65% of Qataris expect to have their lives disrupted in a large way, in Europe the most worried nation is Spain, at only 32%. The Nordic nations come in at the very bottom, with only between 10% and 14% thinking climate change will significantly disrupt their lives.
The good news is that the public has faith that the worst effects of climate change can still be averted, but that dramatic action will be needed. The “drastic change” most people have in mind is reducing consumption. In 24 of the 28 countries surveyed, slowing the rate at which we consume resources is the preferred means by which we should combat climate change, as opposed to relying on technological innovation.
When asked which countries in particular they blame, the finger is pointed primarily at China and the U.S. – the largest greenhouse gas emitters – with India further away in third place.
There is a strong tendency to believe that individuals can contribute more. European countries, however, believe that individuals lack the power to contribute. IK
A LOOK AT SOME COUNTRIES AND THEIR VIEWS ON CLIMATE CHANGE 71%
India
23%
Thailand
69%
27%
Spain
69%
27%
USA
38%
Saudi Arabia
35%
Norway
35%
37% 36% 48%
3% 1% 2%
1% 1% 1%
9%
6%
7%
5%
8%
The climate is changing and human activity is mainly responsible
The climate is changing but human activity is not responsible at all
The climate is changing and human activity is partly responsible together with other factors
The climate is not changing
2%
