January 10, 2008

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in Britain are concerned about climate change, according to a poll by YouGov. 62 per cent of respondents believe man-made global warming is threatening the planet.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in Britain are concerned about climate change, according to a poll by YouGov. 62 per cent of respondents believe man-made global warming is threatening the planet.

When asked which actions they are willing to take this year in order to curb climate change, 76 per cent of respondents claim they will recycle more, 27 per cent say they will drive less, 26 per cent will avoid food that has been imported by plane, and 14 per cent will take fewer holidays. 20 per cent of respondents will not change their behaviour.

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 2007, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a report which states that global warming has been "very likely"—or 90 per cent certain—caused by humans burning fossil fuels.

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.

In October 2006, 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."

Yesterday, British prime minister Gordon Brown revealed that the British cabinet has supported a proposal to develop a new generation of nuclear power stations. Liberal Democrat environment spokesman Steve Webb expressed dismay, saying, "This is a flawed decision based on a sham consultation. There is a real risk that focusing on new nuclear plants will undermine attempts to find a cleaner, greener, more sustainable and secure solution."

Polling Data

Do you believe man-made global warming is threatening the planet?

Yes	62%
No	25%
Don’t know	13%

Will you change your life to help curb climate change in 2008 by doing any of the following? [Please tick all that apply.]

Recycling more	76%
Driving less	27%
Avoiding food that has been imported by plane	26%
Taking fewer holidays	14%
No, I won’t change my behaviour	20%

Source: YouGov
Methodology: Online interviews with 1,566 British adults, conducted from Dec. 20 and Dec. 27, 2007. No margin of error was provided.