Welsh are worried about climate change but most dont know what causes it

Most people in Wales are worried about what climate change could mean for the future. But few know how climate change actually works, and many people are not aware that they are contributing to climate change through their day-to-day activities. A report (PDF format - 615K), published today jointly by the Welsh Consumer Council and Friends of the Earth Cymru, is the first Wales-wide survey of attitudes towards climate change. The report has been welcomed by one of the world's most eminent climate scientists, Sir John Houghton.

Its main findings are:

• Two-thirds of people are worried about climate change and think it could have serious consequences for our way of life in Wales

• Most people think that humans are contributing to climate change - BUT when asked to identify which everyday activities can contribute to climate change, many are unable to do so

• Only one-third are aware that air travel causes climate change, and only just over half know that driving the car causes climate change

• More people are in favour of onshore and offshore windfarms than are opposed to them - but up to 40 per cent are undecided.

Consumers are responsible for a significant proportion of Wales's carbon emissions (at least one-tenth - possibly even up to one-fifth) through everyday activities such as road and air travel, energy use, and putting food waste into landfill.

Getting people involved in the drive to reduce greenhouse gases, along with business and industry, is essential for long-term sustainability and the wellbeing of future generations.

Jennie Bibbings, author of the report, said:

"This survey shows a clear need for public education to let people know the basic facts surrounding climate change and what they can do to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions. But we need to think carefully about how to do this properly - the latest research shows that information campaigns, on their own, do very little to persuade people. Habits are difficult to break and we need to explore new ways of encouraging change without making the cost of living too high for people on low incomes."

The survey also asked people what they thought about onshore and offshore windfarms. They were three times more likely to be in favour of onshore wind turbines than to oppose them, and they were five times more likely to support offshore windfarms than to oppose them. However, large numbers of people were undecided, and more than one-third opted not to say either way if they supported or opposed wind energy. The study was funded by the Countryside Council for Wales , and the findings will be fed back to the Welsh Assembly, which is currently looking at ways to encourage more people to cut their greenhouse gas emissions.

Vivienne Sugar, Chair of the Welsh Consumer Council, said:

"The political will to tackle climate change has been slow to build, but is finally starting to build strength - a fact illustrated by Tony Blair's and Michael Howard's recent speeches on the subject. This report has shown that, from the consumer point of view, there is still a long way to go. People are worried, but there is a great deal of confusion about the facts and the dangers of climate change. The task for government now is to address people's concerns and show them that there are lots of things we can all do to reduce the threat and protect future generations."

Julian Rosser, Head of Friends of the Earth Cymru, said:

"Climate Change is the biggest threat facing humankind today. It requires concerted action from individuals and from all levels of government. This report shows how great a challenge we face in communicating both the scale of the problem and the steps that people can take to combat global warming. We need a far greater public understanding of climate change if society is to support controversial solutions like windfarms and increased fuel prices. It is crucial that a key recommendation of this report, a public communication programme on global warming, is accepted and acted upon by the Welsh Assembly."

Sir John Houghton, former Met Office chief and Co-Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, said:

"There needs to be an effective information campaign that informs people not only of the major problems that climate change will bring but also of the very positive actions that can be taken to mitigate its effects, many of which will be beneficial in other ways too as they lead to a more sustainable future for all of us."

Notes

• The report launch will take place at the Welsh Assembly Cardiff Bay milling area, 12.30pm to 2pm on 30th September 2004 . Economic Development Minister Andrew Davies AM will receive the report on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government, and Presiding Officer Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas AM will give a keynote speech. Representatives of Friends of the Earth and the Welsh Consumer Council will be available for interviews and photos.

• Climate Concern: Attitudes to climate change and windfarms in Wales (PDF format - 615K) is published by Friends of the Earth Cymru and the Welsh Consumer Council, ISBN 1 903826 32 2.

• The survey was carried out in March 2004, shortly before the release of climate change-themed Hollywood movie The Day After Tomorrow, and before this summer's devastating hurricane season, so it is likely that levels of concern will be even higher now than they were in March.

• The survey found that 24 per cent were very concerned about climate change; 42 per cent were fairly concerned; 17 per cent were not very concerned; 11 per cent were not at all concerned; and 6 per cent did not answer the question or said they did not know.

• The cause of climate change which most people identified was burning fossil fuels (71 per cent); then cutting down trees (58 per cent); driving the car (55 per cent); air travel (35 per cent); throwing food in the bin (11 per cent); and eating beef (4 per cent). Around one-eighth (12 per cent) said they did not know or did not answer.

• As far as onshore windfarms were concerned, 20 per cent said they strongly supported them; 25 per cent said they tended to support them; 25 per cent had mixed feelings; 8 per cent had mild concerns and 7 per cent had strong concerns. 15 per cent said they did not know or did not answer the question.

Offshore windfarms had slightly higher levels of support than onshore: 27 per cent strongly supported them; 28 per cent tended to support them; 20 per cent had mixed feelings; 5 per cent had mild concerns and 5 per cent had strong concerns. 15 per cent said they did not know or did not answer the

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