February 09, 2007

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - A vast majority of French people is willing to make personal sacrifices in order to curb global warming, according to a poll by TNS-Sofres released by Pèlerin. 93 per cent of respondents say they would recycle their garbage, and 86 per cent would consume less electricity than today to fight climate change.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - A vast majority of French people is willing to make personal sacrifices in order to curb global warming, according to a poll by TNS-Sofres released by Pèlerin. 93 per cent of respondents say they would recycle their garbage, and 86 per cent would consume less electricity than today to fight climate change.

In addition, more than 80 per cent of respondents would decrease their water consumption, lower their thermostat in the winter by one degree, and use renewable or solar energies to produce hot water and heat. 61 per cent of respondents would use their car less often, and a further 61 per cent are willing to consume less meat.

The term global warming refers to an increase of the Earth's average temperature. Some theories say that climate change might be the result of human-generated carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

On Feb. 2, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a report which states that global warming has been "very likely"—or 90 per cent certain—caused by humans burning fossil fuels. The document urges governments to take action in curbing a phenomenon that will cause a raise in global temperatures and extreme weather conditions over the next century. Over 2,500 scientists participated on the report, which was signed by delegates of 130 countries. This was the fourth official document issued by the IPCC, which convenes every five years.

On Feb. 4, French president Jacques Chirac called for the creation of a new UN environmental agency with powers to regulate governments, and said a clean environment should become a fundamental human right, adding, "We call for the transformation of the UNEP [United Nations Environment Programme] into a genuine international organization to which all countries belong, along the lines of the World Health Organization." Chirac added that a first meeting of 46 nations pushing for a UN environmental agency will take place in Morocco soon.

Polling Data

Personally, would you be willing to do each following things to fight climate change?

("Yes" responses listed)

Recycle your garbage	93%
Consume less electricity than today	86%
Decrease your water consumption	86%
Lower your thermostat in the winter by one degree	84%
Use renewable or solar energies to produce hot water and heat	82%
Use your car less often	61%
Consume less meat than today	61%

Source: TNS-Sofres / Pèlerin
Methodology: Face-to-face interviews with 1,000 French adults, conducted on Jan. 17 and Jan. 18, 2007. No margin of error was provided.