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Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research
European Citizens Review Environmental Worries
Credit:Flag courtesy of ITA’s Flags of All Countries used with permission.
(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, | 47% |
Man made disasters (major oil | 46% |
Climate change | 45% |
Air pollution | 45% |
The impact on our health of chemicals | 35% |
Natural disasters | 31% |
Growing waste | 30% |
Agricultural pollution (use of | 26% |
Depletion of natural resources | 26% |
The use of genetically modified | 24% |
Loss in biodiversity (extinction of | 23% |
Urban problems (traffic jams, | 17% |
Consequences of current transport | 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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