May 03, 2005

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Scan) - Adults in the European Union (EU) are concerned about specific ecological threats, according to the Eurobarometer conducted by TNS Opinion & Social. 47 per cent of respondents in the EU's 25 member nations say water pollution is the main environmental issue they care about.

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Adults in the European Union (EU) are concerned about specific ecological threats, according to the Eurobarometer conducted by TNS Opinion & Social. 47 per cent of respondents in the EU's 25 member nations say water pollution is the main environmental issue they care about.

Man made disasters—such as major oil spills or industrial accidents—were second on the list of hazards with 46 per cent, followed by climate change, air pollution, the health impact of chemicals used in everyday products, natural disasters and growing waste.

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. All current EU members have ratified the revised agreement, which came into effect on Feb. 16.

On Apr. 21, European Commissioner for Energy Stravos Dimas said the EU could benefit from its regulations on carbon emissions, saying, "The scheme will give European business—including United States companies based in Europe—a first-mover advantage through the invaluable early experience they will gain."

Polling Data

From the following list, please list the five main environmental issues that you are worried about.

Water pollution (seas, rivers, lakes, underground sources, etc.)	47%
Man made disasters (major oil spills, industrial accidents, etc.)	46%
Climate change	45%
Air pollution	45%
The impact on our health of chemicals used in everyday products	35%
Natural disasters (earthquakes, floods, etc.)	31%
Growing waste	30%
Agricultural pollution (use of pesticides, fertilizers, etc.)	26%
Depletion of natural resources	26%
The use of genetically modified organisms in farming	24%
Loss in biodiversity (extinction of animal species, flora and fauna, etc.)	23%
Urban problems (traffic jams, pollution, lack of green spaces, etc.)	17%
Consequences of current transport modes (increased use of individual cars, motorways, increased air traffic, etc.)	14%
Our consumption habits	13%
Noise pollution	10%

Source: TNS Opinion & Social / Eurobarometer
Methodology: Interviews to 24,867 European adults in the 25 European Union (EU) member nations, conducted from Oct. 27 to Nov. 29, 2004. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.

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