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.

Archive Search

Over 19,300 Polls
Search the Angus Reid Global Monitor Polls & Research archive.