A survey has shown 70% of people would support taking greater action to tackle climate change
Scots want action on climate change, a new study has revealed.
People in Scotland are concerned about climate change and strongly support greater action across a range of sectors to tackle it, research released by Stop Climate Chaos Scotland has revealed.
The survey carried out by YouGov comes as the world’s leading climate scientists - the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) - gather in Edinburgh this week. The IPCC delivered last year’s landmark warning about the urgent need to rapidly change our economies and societies to avoid increased warning.
The IPCC’s visit comes as MSPs prepare to debate the Scottish Government’s Climate Bill for the first time tomorrow (Tuesday 2 April). The bill has drew criticism for a perceived lack of ambition in setting reductions in carbon emissions. Ahead of the debate, climate activists will hold a Running out of Time themed rally outside Scottish Parliament.
The survey revealed 78% of respondents are either more concerned about climate change or are as concerned as they were twelve months ago and 70% of respondents support Scotland taking greater action in transport, food and homes to tackle climate change.
The most common reasons for concern about climate change are: concern for future generations (71%), threat to wildlife (65%), natural disasters (62%), rising sea levels (60%)
Gail Wilson, Stop Climate Chaos Scotland campaigns manager, said: “Climate change will do irreversible damage to our planet if we don’t do more to tackle it now. This new polling shows that people in Scotland recognise the seriousness of the situation and want more action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“Last year, UN climate scientists published a landmark report which highlighted the alarming rate at which our climate is changing. That report underlined that if levels of emissions continue at current rates, the risks posed to people and the planet would be truly catastrophic.
“As 200 leading UN scientists from around the world gather in Edinburgh this week, MSPs at Holyrood must take note of the growing clamour for urgent action on climate change. Mounting scientific evidence from world experts, alongside increasing levels of public support mean Scotland’s new climate law must rise to address the scale of the crisis presented.”
Jamie Livingstone, head of Oxfam Scotland, a member of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, added: “People in Scotland are right to be increasingly concerned about climate change. Across the world, we are already seeing communities ravaged by fire, floods and storms like never before. Despite doing least to cause it, climate change is hitting the world’s poorest people hardest, forcing people from their homes and increasing hunger. Worryingly, climate change makes extreme weather events, like the devastating Cyclone Idai in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe, much more likely."
“As a nation which has historically profited from fossil fuels, Scotland has a duty to act with greater urgency when tackling climate change and it’s hugely encouraging that people support faster action. Humanity needs bold, brave leadership and action right now – and Scotland has the chance to show genuine leadership.”
