A recent global survey conducted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with Oxford University and GeoPoll, revealed that 80% of the world’s inhabitants want stronger climate commitments from their governments. This eight-month survey, covering 77 countries, shows growing concern about the impacts of climate change and the announced delay in the climate transition.
The results show that demand for climate action is particularly high in the poorest countries, with 89% of respondents calling for urgent action. This figure remains significant in G20 countries (76%) as well as in the biggest greenhouse gas emitters, such as China (73%) and the USA (66%).
Global Warming Impacts and Public Perception
People are very anxious about the consequences of global warming. In the 77 countries surveyed, a clear majority of participants would like to see a rapid transition to renewable energies, including in China (80%) and the USA (54%). However, this willingness is much less prevalent in Russia, where only 16% of respondents are in favor of this transition.
The survey also reveals that 56% of respondents think about climate change regularly, at least every week. This concern is slightly more pronounced among women (57%) and the over-60s (59%), who now seem just as aware of climate issues as the younger generations.
Rising Climate Anxiety and Consequences
The results show an increase in climate-related anxiety, with 53% of participants saying they were more worried than a year ago. This rise in concern is particularly marked in countries such as Fiji (80%), Afghanistan (78%), Mexico and Turkey (77%).
Paradoxically, despite this rise in anxiety, electoral and consumer choices don’t always seem to reflect this concern. Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator, refers to a “misperception” in which individuals say they are ready to do more for the climate, but believe that others won’t, which hampers collective action.
Towards Concerted Climate Action
This global survey highlights the urgent need for stronger, concerted climate action on an international scale. The results demonstrate the overwhelming support of the world’s population for bold climate measures, particularly as the signatory countries of the Paris Agreement are due to submit new CO2 emission reduction targets by early 2025.
The need for a rapid transition to renewable energies is a clear demand from citizens around the world, despite geographical disparities in climate perception and anxiety. Governments must take this popular will into account and act accordingly to mitigate the effects of climate change and meet the expectations of their populations.
The results of this global survey provide crucial information for policy-makers worldwide. They underline not only the urgency of climate change, but also the population’s pressing demand for concrete, rapid action. It is imperative that governments integrate these concerns into their future policies if they are to respond to this global crisis with the necessary scale and speed.
