All Countries Need to Take Major Steps on Climate Change

Large majorities around the world believe that human activity causes global warming and that strong action must be taken, sooner rather than later, in developing as well as developed countries, according to a BBC World Service poll of 22,000 people in 21 countries.

An average of eight in ten (79%) say that “human activity, including industry and transportation, is a significant cause of climate change.”

Nine out of ten say that action is necessary to address global warming. A substantial majority (65%) choose the strongest position, saying that “it is necessary to take major steps starting very soon.”

The poll includes 14 of the 16 major economic powers invited by President Bush to Washington later this week [September 27-28] to discuss climate change and energy security. A key focus of discussion will be whether developing nations as well as developed countries should be required to limit their emissions of greenhouse gases.

The poll shows majority support (73% on average) in all but two countries polled for an agreement in which developing countries would limit their emissions in return for financial assistance and technology from developed countries. The survey was conducted for the BBC World Service by the international polling firm GlobeScan together with the Program on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA) at the University of Maryland.

GlobeScan coordinated fieldwork between May 29 and July 26, 2007. Steven Kull, director of PIPA, said, “The public in developing as well as developed countries agree that action on climate change is necessary.” GlobeScan President Doug Miller added, “The strength of these findings makes it difficult to imagine a more supportive public opinion environment for national leaders to commit to climate action.” In no country does more than one in three disagree with the view that “human activity, including industry and transportation, is a significant cause of climate change.” I

n all except one country, two-thirds or more endorse this view. The one exception is India where 47 percent attribute climate change to human activity, 21 percent disagree and 33 percent do not answer.

In 13 of 21 countries, at least twice as many call for “major steps starting very soon” as think “modest steps over the coming years” will suffice. In no country does a majority say that no steps are necessary and on average less than one in ten say this.

A key growing economy with a large majority in favour of significant action is China. Seventy percent of urban Chinese respondents believe major steps are needed quickly to address climate change. There is a widespread consensus that developing countries should take action on climate along with developed countries.

Just three countries opt instead for the position that less-wealthy countries should not be expected to limit emissions: Egypt, Nigeria and Italy. Asked how much they have heard about climate change or global warming, seven in ten overall say that they have heard a great deal (35%) or some (35%). A majority in 16 countries – including many developing countries – say that they have heard at least something about the issue. In only a few countries do large numbers say that they have heard little or nothing, including Indonesia (65%), Kenya (53%), Nigeria (48%), and Russia (64%).