UK: Attitudes to risk of climate change are shifting dramatically
By Jayne Smith
Britons suggest climate change is one of the most important issues facing the country in the next 20 years, claims research led by Cardiff University. A wide-ranging survey examining social attitudes to the risks and impacts of climate change suggested the issue was now second only to Brexit for the British public. The survey, carried out by a team of researchers from Cardiff University and Climate Outreach, also highlighted rising public concern about storms, flooding and, in particular, heatwaves, and suggested strong support for policies to address these.
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23 percent said climate change was the most pressing issue facing Britain in the next two decades, second only to Brexit (25 percent). In 2016, this figure was 2 percent in response to an identical question.
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Storms and flooding remain the highest perceived risks, prompt high levels of concern, and are seen to be likely to increase in the future.
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There was very strong support for a range of adaptation policies, for example spending on flood defences or tighter building regulations.
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