Irish people are in almost total agreement that climate change is happening, while 85 per cent are worried about it, according to a poll commissioned by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
In the most comprehensive survey of Irish attitudes to the emerging climate crisis ever conducted, the findings indicate the issue features prominently in public consciousness and suggests there is a strong appetite for scaled-up action by the Government in response to it.
It is the first part of the Climate Change in the Irish Mind project undertaken by EPA with the Yale University Programme on Climate Change Communication in the US.
It aims to develop better understanding of the Irish population by conducting a baseline study of public beliefs; risk perceptions; policy preferences and behaviours on the issue of the climate crisis – with a view to informing the upcoming National Dialogue on Climate Action.
The poll, which was conducted by Behaviours & Attitudes last summer, had a sample size of 4,000 adults.
Some 90 per cent of people in Ireland say the country has a responsibility to act on climate change and should do what it can to reduce its own greenhouse emissions. In contrast, only 9 per cent say Ireland is too small to make a difference on climate change and should let other countries take the lead.
Other findings include:
– Nearly all Irish people (96 per cent) think climate change is happening and is caused, at least in part, by human activities;
– More than 90 per cent of people say climate change is important to them personally; 79 per cent say it should be either a “very high” or “high” priority for the Government;
– Irish people strongly support a range of policies to address climate change while 78 per cent also think climate action will increase jobs, economic growth and quality of life;
– Most people support spending carbon tax revenues on programmes to reduce carbon emissions and to prepare for climate impacts, and
– Scientists (94 per cent) and the EPA (89 per cent) are the most trusted sources of information on climate change.
EPA director general Laura Burke said the findings were definitive. "This is an important first step in a very valuable project that will help to understand how Irish people perceive the environmental challenge, and that can fundamentally change how we all communicate on the topic," she added.
The findings, she believed, “clearly demonstrate Irish people overwhelmingly recognise the threat, feel personally affected and want to see real change”.
The results will be used to support climate change awareness and engagement campaigns, the design of national policy and climate action, she confirmed.
Minister for the Climate Eamon Ryan said the cornerstone of the national dialogue was to engage and empower everyone in society to transition towards a climate-neutral economy "in a way that is fair, just, and accessible".
“Irish people are well informed and understand and support the need for climate action. The research programme will provide valuable insights as we develop policies and initiatives that will support people as we make this transition together,” he added.
Dr Anthony Leiserowitz, director of the Yale programme, said: "Irish people overwhelmingly accept the findings of climate science and strongly support a whole-of-society response. They are ready for a national dialogue on climate action and primed to lead the world by their example."
The findings suggest people want the Government to act by developing climate friendly policy. They are also willing to change their political and consumption behaviours, but to a lesser degree. This demonstrates people are aware of the systems changes that are required to effect change and they are also aware of their responsibilities to act.
This points to the need for more behavioural insights as to what supports people need to affect change, according to EPA analysis.
On climate impacts, a large majority (88 per cent) think climate change is affecting the weather in Ireland; 75 per cent think extreme weather poses either a “high” or “moderate” risk to their community over the next 10 years.
The survey found people are worried about local environmental hazards, indicating high levels of concern on water pollution (81 per cent ), air pollution (70 per cent), severe storms (64 per cent), rising sea levels (62 per cent), water shortages (61 per cent), flooding (56 per cent), agricultural pests and diseases (56 per cent), and invasive species (53 per cent). Fewer are worried about droughts (46 per cent), extreme heat (45 per cent), wildfires (40 per cent), or bog bursts or landslides (27 per cent).
On social engagement, 91 per cent of people say climate change is important to them personally; 72 per cent of people say they “often” or “occasionally” discuss climate change with family and friends.
Half of people report they hear about climate change in the media once a week or more often. People report trust for the mainstream news media (69 per cent), and journalists (66 per cent) as sources of information on the issue. By contrast, the survey found less than half trust political leaders (44 per cent), religious leaders (37 per cent), corporations and businesses (32 per cent) or online influencers, celebrities or media personalities (24 per cent) as sources of information.
Large majorities of people in Ireland support spending revenue from carbon taxes on the following:
– Supporting the further development of new clean energy sources (95 per cent);
– Funding improvements to Ireland’s transport infrastructure such as rail, bus corridors, and cycling and walking paths (95 per cent);
– Helping to pay for energy efficiency improvements in low-income households (94 per cent);
– Funding programmes to help Irish communities prepare for and adapt to the impacts of climate change (93 per cent);
- Assisting workers in the fossil fuel industry who may lose their jobs (90 per cent);
– Returning the money to all Irish households in equal amounts (63 per cent).
Some 85 per cent of Irish people support building new infrastructure such as pylons or substations in their local area to support the increased use of renewable energy so that the Government can reach its 2030 renewable electricity target. A large majority of people (92 per cent) support increasing forest areas to offset emissions from agriculture, while fewer (64 per cent) support reducing the size of the national cattle herd to reduce emissions from the sector.
