Polls & Research
Archive Search
Britons Convinced About Global Warming
- Many adults in Britain believe climate change is a reality, according to a poll by YouGov published in the Daily Telegraph. 85 per cent of respondents believe global warming is taking place at the moment. In addition, 38 per cent of respondents believe the issue calls for immediate steps, while 49 per cent think more work should be done to understand it.
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.
In 1998, several countries agreed to the Kyoto Protocol, a proposed amendment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The agreement commits nations to reduce their emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. As a member of the European Union (EU), Britain ratified the protocol in May 2002.
On Oct. 30, British prime minister Tony Blair called for "bold and decisive action" on global warming, declaring, "It is not in doubt that, if the science is right, the consequences for our planet are literally disastrous. Unless we act now, these consequences will be irreversible." 49 per cent of respondents think Britain should take a lead in fighting global warming, while 45 per cent believe any action would be pointless unless other countries also agree to take tough measures.
In April, Conservative leader David Cameron visited Norway and wrote an op-ed for The Independent, which read, "I want to see for myself the effects of climate change, not just to see a retreating glacier but to meet leading scientific and research experts. Climate change is one of the biggest threats facing the world and we must have a much greater sense of urgency about tackling it."
Polling Data
Most scientists, but not all, believe that global warming is taking place at the moment and that global warming is almost certain to accelerate over the next few decades. Do you personally believe that global warming is taking place at the moment or not?
Yes, I believe it is | 85% |
No, I don't believe it is | 8% |
Don't know | 7% |
Which of these statements comes closest to your own view?
Global warming is a big and urgent issue: | 38% |
Global warming is a big issue, but more | 49% |
There is not yet enough clear evidence | 9% |
Don't know | 3% |
Taking everything into account, which of these statements comes closer to your view?
Britain should take a lead in fighting global | 49% |
There is no point in Britain taking radical action | 45% |
Don't know | 5% |
Source: YouGov / Daily Telegraph
Methodology: Online interviews with 1,619 British adults, conducted from Oct. 30 to Nov. 1, 2006. No margin of error was provided.