A World Bank survey has found serious public concern about climate change. And surprisingly, a majority said they would pay more for fuel, transportation and other necessities in order to curb greenhouse gas emissions.
A majority in each country said they wanted their governments to change policies that would reduce emissions, even if no concensus is reached at the upcoming climate change conference in Copenhagen, Denmark (starting Monday, 7 December).
The survey asked more than 13,400 people in 15 countries - most of them in the developing world -- if they supported changes in environmental policies that would result in tackling climate change - even if it meant higher costs.
Among the poll's key findings:
• Public concern about climate change is high
worldwide, but generally higher in developing
countries.
• People in developing countries believe climate change is already
producing negative effects.
• Majorities in 12 of the 15 countries said they supported a gradual
change in fuel efficiency standards for automobiles even if it
increases costs.
• Majorites in all countries found support for preserving or expanding
forest land, even if it means less land for construction or agriculture.
• There is widespread support for helping poorer countries deal with
climate change issues.
"We were not expecting these results," said Andrea Liverani a social development specialist for the World Bank in Washington, D.C., which commissioned the poll. "Behavior and attitude change is the key to successfully fighting climate change," she said.
The survey was conducted in China, India, Vietnam, Japan, Iran, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Russia, Senegal, Turkey, Vietnam, France, Egypt and the United States.
More survey results can be found at: www.worldbank.org/wdr2010/climatepoll
