June 12, 2007

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in Canada disagree with one of their federal administration's ideas to fight global warming, according to a poll by Angus Reid Strategies. 60 per cent of respondents reject the government's proposal of intensity-based targets.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in Canada disagree with one of their federal administration's ideas to fight global warming, according to a poll by Angus Reid Strategies. 60 per cent of respondents reject the government's proposal of intensity-based targets.

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. 82 per cent of respondents believe global warming cannot be tackled unless countries like the U.S., India and China agree to act.

Canadians renewed the House of Commons in January 2006. The Conservative party—led by Stephen Harper—received 36.3 per cent of the vote, and secured 124 seats in the 308-member lower house. Harper leads a minority administration after more than 12 years of government by the Liberal party. 57 per cent of respondents think the Harper government can be a global leader in battling climate change.

Intensity-based targets allow companies to reduce the amount of carbon emissions per individual unit produced—for each barrel of oil, for instance—without necessarily having to reduce emissions overall. On Jun. 5, Green leader Elizabeth May criticized this approach, saying, "The reality is the position Mr. Harper is taking at the G-8 summit right now, should other countries listen to him, we would have a global disaster."

On Jun. 9, Harper discussed global warming during the G-8 summit, saying, "I'm confident that the United States as a whole understands the necessity to deal with this problem and to be part of a world community that moves as one. And I think frankly we need not only American participation but American leadership to do that." 60 per cent of respondents think Canada's energy policy should not be closely tied to the United States.

Polling Data

Thinking about the topic of climate change, the Conservative government has proposed intensity-based targets as a way to fight global warming. Under this plan, a company must reduce the amount of carbon emissions per individual unit produced—for each barrel of oil, for instance—but they don't have to reduce emissions overall. Do you agree or disagree with this plan?

Agree	29%
Disagree	60%
Not sure	11%

Do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

	Agree	Disagree	Not sure
Global warming cannot be tackled unless countries like the U.S., India and China agree to act	82%	14%	4%
The Harper government can be a global leader in battling climate change	57%	35%	8%
Canada's energy policy should be closely tied to the United States	32%	60%	8%

Source: Angus Reid Strategies
Methodology: Online interviews with 1,081 Canadian adults, conducted on Jun. 6 and Jun. 7, 2007. Margin of error is 3.0 per cent.

Complete Poll (PDF)

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