All Countries Need to Take Major Steps on Climate Change: Global Poll

Backgrounder

The Americas

Canadians share the view that human activity is a significant cause of climate change and that immediate steps are needed to address the problem. A large majority also supports providing aid to developing countries under an agreement requiring them to limit their emissions. More than three-quarters (77%) say they believe "human activity, including industry and transportation, [is] a significant cause of climate change." Similar numbers (72%) support taking "major steps starting very soon" to address climate change, while another 20 percent support taking more modest measures over time. Sixty-eight percent agree with the argument that because the emissions of less wealthy countries "are substantial and growing" they should be expected to impose limits. Only 27 percent think instead that because these countries produce "relatively low emissions per person," they should not be required to do so. Furthermore, Canada has one of the largest majorities (84%) supporting a deal that would require wealthy countries to provide financial assistance and technology to developing countries that agree to impose emissions caps. Most Canadians (89%) have heard or read about climate change.

Americans agree with most other world publics that human activity contributes significantly to climate change and that major steps should be taken immediately to address the problem. A majority also supports a deal that would provide financial assistance and technology to developing countries that limit their greenhouse gas emissions. Seven in 10 Americans (71%) say that human activity is "a significant cause of climate change." By a margin of 59 percent to 33 percent, Americans say it is necessary to take "major steps starting very soon" rather than "modest steps over the coming years." Only 6 percent say "it is not necessary to take any steps." Three-quarters (75%) agree that "because total emissions from less wealthy countries are substantial and growing, these countries should limit their emissions of climate-changing gases along with wealthy countries." Similar numbers (70%) support a deal that would provide developing countries with financial assistance and technology in return for an agreement to limit their emissions. Nearly nine in 10 (89%) Americans say they have heard a great deal (59%) or some (30%) about climate change.

Brazilians agree that humans help cause climate change and support major steps to address the problem. They also believe that both wealthy and less wealthy countries should be expected to limit their emissions. Nine in 10 (88%) say that "human activity is a significant cause of climate change." A very large majority (76%) says the problem requires "major steps starting very soon." Only 16 percent prefer "modest steps over the coming years" and just 4 percent say no steps are necessary. A majority of Brazilians (63%) agree that less wealthy countries should be expected to limit their emissions of greenhouse gases along with wealthy countries. Seventy-three percent would support a deal whereby wealthy countries provide financial assistance and technology to less wealthy countries that agree to set emissions limits. Most Brazilians are aware of the issue: 77 percent say they have heard or read about climate change or global warming.

The Chilean public endorses the view that human activity contributes to climate change, favours taking major steps to deal with the problem, and believes both developed and developing countries should limit their emissions of greenhouse gases. A very large majority of Chileans (85%) agrees that "human activity, including industry and transportation [is] a significant cause of climate change." Nearly four out of five (78%) support taking "major steps starting very soon." Only 16 percent favour instead more modest, gradual measures. A substantial majority (63%) agrees with the argument that "because total emissions from less wealthy countries are substantial and growing, these countries should limit their emissions of climate changing gases along with wealthy countries." Only 19 percent disagree, saying instead that because less wealthy countries "produce relatively low emissions per person, they should not be expected" to impose caps. More than two out of three (68%) favour a deal that would require less wealthy countries to limit emissions in return for financial assistance and technology. A majority of Chileans (62%) say they have heard or read about global warming.

Among the 21 countries polled, Mexico has the largest majority believing that humans contribute to climate change. Most support immediate action to address the problem and believe both developed and developing countries should limit emissions. An overwhelming majority (94%) of Mexicans say that "human activity, including industry and transportation [is] a significant cause of climate change." More than four out of five (83%) support taking "major steps starting very soon" to deal with global warming and three out of four (75%) believe that because emissions from less wealthy countries are "substantial and growing," they should be required to impose caps along with wealthy nations. A smaller majority (57%) supports a deal requiring wealthy countries to give financial assistance and technology to less wealthy countries that agree to limit the output of greenhouse gases. Most Mexicans (73%) say they have heard or read about climate change.

Europe

Like most Europeans polled, the French agree that human activity contributes to climate change, support taking major steps to address the issue, and feel that both wealthy and less wealthy countries should limit their emissions. A very large majority (89%) says that human activity, "including industry and transportation," is a significant cause of climate change. France has one of the largest majorities (85%) - after Spain and Italy - believing that it is necessary to start taking major steps very soon. A significant majority (61%) endorses the argument that emissions from less wealthy countries are "substantial and growing" and therefore they should be required to impose caps, while only 31 percent favour the view that less wealthy countries should not have to do so because their per capita emissions are relatively low. More than three out of four (78%) favour a deal requiring wealthy countries to provide financial assistance and technology to less wealthy countries if they agree to limit greenhouse gases. An overwhelming majority of the French are aware of the issue: 92 percent saying they have heard a great deal (62%) or some (30%) about climate change.

Although Germans consider human activity an important cause of climate change and believe both developed and developing countries should limit emissions, they are more divided than other publics about whether immediate action is necessary. Eighty-seven percent of German respondents agree that human activity is a significant cause of climate change and 95 percent think it is necessary to take measures to deal with the problem. But while half (50%) endorse taking "major steps starting very soon," nearly as many (45%) prefer "modest steps over the coming years." Sixty-one percent endorse the argument that both wealthy and less wealthy countries should limit their greenhouse gas emissions because the production of such pollutants in the developing world is "substantial and growing." Only 34 percent think that because less wealthy countries produce "relatively low emissions" per capita and they should not be expected to impose caps. Three-quarters (75%) would support a deal requiring wealthy countries to give financial assistance and technology to developing countries that agree to limit their emissions. Germans are somewhat less aware of the issue of climate change than other Europeans: 76 percent say they have heard or read a great deal (28%) or some (48%) about the issue, while 24 percent have not heard much (22%) or anything at all (2%).

Britons believe human activity is a major factor contributing to climate change, support taking immediate action to address the problem, and are among those publics most supportive of providing technology and financial assistance to developing countries if they agree to limit emissions. Nearly four out of five respondents (78%) believe that human activities such as industry and transportation are a significant cause of climate change. A large majority (70%) believes major steps should be taken in the immediate future to reduce the impact of these activities, while another 25 percent prefer to take more modest, gradual measures (only 3 percent reject taking any steps). Similar numbers (70%) favour the argument that because emissions in less wealthy countries are substantial and growing, they should be expected to impose limits along with wealthy countries. Only 25 say they should not be expected to do so because their per capita emissions are relatively low. A very large majority (81%) supports a deal that would require wealthy countries to provide technology and financial assistance to developing countries if they agree to cap their emissions. Britons are also among those most aware of the issue: nine in 10 say they have heard a great deal (61%) or a lot (29%) about global warming or climate change.

Like most Europeans, Italians agree that humans have contributed to climate change, and they are among those most supportive of immediate action to address the problem. But Italians are somewhat divided about whether developing countries should limit their emissions unless they are given foreign assistance. An overwhelming majority (92%) sees human activity as a significant cause of climate change. Italy is second only to Spain in the percentage favouring strong, quick action to address the problem: 86 percent say "it is necessary to take major steps starting very soon." But they are somewhat divided on the issue of whether developing countries should have to take such measures. Asked whether less wealthy countries should or should not be required to limit emissions about half (49%) believe they should not (because they "produce relative low emissions per person") and nearly as many (42%) say they should (because their total emissions are "substantial and growing"). More than three out of four (77%) would support a deal requiring less wealthy countries to limit emissions in return for financial assistance and technology from wealthy countries. Most Italians are aware of the issue, with 88 percent saying they have heard or read a great deal (51%) or some (36%) about global warming.

Although Russians agree that human activity is a significant cause of climate change and believe both wealthy and less wealthy countries should limit emissions, they are divided about whether immediate or gradual steps are necessary. Russians are less aware of the issue than other European publics. Eight in 10 (79%) believe human activity, "including industry and transportation," is a significant cause of climate change. Although most Russians (87%) favour action to address the problem, they are divided about whether urgent measures are needed. Forty-three percent say "it is necessary to take major steps starting very soon" while 44 percent prefer "modest steps over the coming years." A significant majority of Russians (58%) support the argument that "because total emissions from less wealthy countries are substantial and growing, these countries should be expected to limit their emissions along with wealthy countries." Only 20 percent favour instead the position that "because countries that are less wealthy produce relatively low emissions per person" they should not be expected to do so. More than three-quarters (77%) would support a deal requiring wealthy countries to provide financial assistance and technology to developing countries if they agree to limit emissions. But a majority of Russians (64%) say they have heard or read little (55%) or nothing (9%) about the issue of climate change.

Spaniards are among those most convinced that human activity is a significant source of climate change and most in favour of taking immediate action to address the problem. An overwhelming 93 percent of Spaniards agree that human activity is a significant cause of climate change. Ninety-one percent - the highest level among the 21 countries polled - say that major steps should be taken "starting very soon." More than two out of three (72%) believe that because total emissions from developing countries are "substantial and growing" they should be required to impose limits. Only 20 percent take the opposing position that they should not have to do so because they produce relatively low emissions per capita. More than three-quarters (76%) favour a deal requiring wealthy countries to provide financial assistance and technology to less wealthy countries that agree to cap green house gas emissions. Most Spaniards are aware of the climate change issue: 77 percent say they have heard a great deal (32%) or something (45%) about it.

Middle East

A majority of Egyptians believe human activity is a cause of climate change and feel that at least some steps are necessary to combat the problem. However, a majority believes developing countries should not be expected to limit their emissions. Two-thirds (66%) of Egyptians agree that human activity is a significant cause of climate change, but this majority is smaller than in most other countries and a relatively large 33 percent say that human activity is not a significant cause. Egyptians are divided about what should be done to address the problem: 43 percent say major steps should be taken very soon and 43 percent prefer modest steps over the coming years. A relatively large 14 percent believe no steps are necessary. A modest majority (53%) of Egyptians favour the argument that because less wealthy countries "produce relatively low emissions per person," they should not be expected to limit emissions. Forty-seven percent take the opposite view that less wealthy countries should be expected to limit their "substantial and growing" emissions. However, more than three-quarters (77%) would support a deal whereby developing countries limit emissions in return for financial assistance and technology. A majority of Egyptians are aware of the issue, with 59 percent saying they have heard a great deal (17%) or some (41%) about it. But large numbers are not: 41 percent say they have not heard much (25%) or anything at all (16%).

The Turkish public shares the view that human activity contributes to climate change and that major steps should be taken to address the issue. They also tend to believe that less wealthy countries should be expected to limit their emissions. Seven in 10 (70%) agree that "human activity, including industry and transportation" is a significant cause of climate change. A majority (59%) is in favour of taking "major steps starting very soon" to reduce the effects of climate change. Less than one-fifth (19%) prefer more modest, gradual action and only a tenth (11%) say no action is needed or decline to answer (11%). Given two arguments - that less wealthy countries should limit emissions because they are "substantial and growing" or that they should not have to do so because their per capita emissions are low - Turks choose emission limits by a margin of 41 percent to 23 percent. Large numbers, however, do not take either position (36%). A significant majority (65%) would favour emissions caps in return for financial assistance and technology. Turks show substantial awareness of climate change: 72 percent say they have heard some (50%) or a great deal (22%) about the issues.

Africa

Kenyans are in favour of taking action to address climate change and believe developing countries should impose limits on their emissions. A majority says they are not informed about the issue, however. Seventy-two percent of Kenyans agree that human activity is a significant cause of climate change. A majority (53%) favours taking major steps in the near future to address climate change, while 31 percent believe only modest steps are necessary and 12 percent no action is necessary. Sixty-four percent of Kenyans believe less wealthy countries should be expected to limit their "substantial and growing emissions" along with wealthy countries. Only 31 percent take the position that they should not be required to do so because their per capita emissions are relatively low. More than three-quarters (76%) of Kenyans would favour an agreement requiring less wealthy countries to limit emissions if wealthy countries agree to provide financial assistance and technology. Asked how much they have heard or read about the issue of global warming, a modest majority (53%) says they have not heard much (31%) or anything at all (22%), while 43 percent say they have heard some (29%) or a great deal (15%).

Nigerians share the view that human activity is a significant cause of climate change and favour taking major steps to combat the problem. But half of those polled say that developing countries should not be expected to limit their emissions. A significant majority (72%) of Nigerians agree that "human activity, including transportation and industry, [is] a significant cause of climate change." More than three in four (77%) believe it is necessary to take either major steps in the immediate future (50%) or modest steps in the coming years (27%) to address the problem. Just 16 percent say that no steps are necessary. Asked whether developing countries should be required to limit their emissions because they are "substantial and growing" or whether they should not have to because they produce "relatively low emissions per person," Nigerians favour the latter position by 50 percent to 42 percent. Nigerians look somewhat favourably on a deal that would require wealthy countries to provide financial assistance and technology to less wealthy countries that agree to limit emissions: 50 percent would support this arrangement, 46 percent would not. Nigerians are less aware of the issue than most other publics. Half say they have heard a great deal (20%) or some (30%) about the issue, while 48 percent say they have heard only a little (38%) or nothing at all (10%).

Asia/Pacific

Australians believe that human activity is a major factor contributing to climate change, that major steps are necessary to address the issue, and that developing countries should limit their emissions. More than four out of five (81%) agree that human activity is a significant cause of climate change. An overwhelming majority (95%) endorses taking action, including 70 percent who say major steps should be taken "very soon." A large majority (71%) also thinks less wealthy countries should be expected to impose limits on greenhouse gas emissions because their total output of such pollutants is "substantial and growing." Only 23 percent takes the opposing position that less wealthy countries should not have to do so because their emissions are relatively low in per capita terms. Australians are among those most supportive of providing financial assistance to less wealthy countries that agree to limit emissions (84%). Most Australians say they are informed about global warming: 89 percent say they have heard a great deal (54%) or some (36%) about the issue.

Most Chinese respondents favour taking major steps to address the problem of climate change and believe both developing and developed countries should limit their emissions of greenhouse gases. A very large majority (87%) of the Chinese agree that human activity, "including industry and transportation," is a significant cause of climate change. Seventy percent of respondents say "major steps starting very soon" are necessary to address the problem. Only a quarter believes only "modest steps over the coming years" (25%) and very few think nothing need be done (4%). A large majority of the Chinese public (68%) supports the argument that "because total emissions from less wealthy countries are substantial and growing, these countries should be asked to limit their emissions of climate changing gases along with wealthy countries." Only 27 percent take the view that since "countries that are less wealthy produce relatively low emissions per person, they should not be expected to limit their emissions of climate changing gases." The Chinese are overwhelmingly in favour (90%) of a deal requiring less wealthy countries to limit emissions in return for financial assistance and technology from wealthy countries. This is the largest majority in favour of such an agreement among the 21 countries polled. Most Chinese respondents are aware of the problem of global warming: 72 percent say they have heard a great deal (30%) or some (42%) about the issue.

The Indian public tends to agree that human activity is a significant cause of climate change, that steps should be taken to address the problem, and that developing countries should limit their emissions. But these views are less widespread than in other publics and large numbers declined to respond. Indians agree that human activity is a significant cause of climate change by 47 percent to 21 percent but large numbers (33%) would not answer. A majority (63%) agrees that steps are needed to address climate change, including 37 percent who favour "major steps very soon" and 26 percent who prefer "modest steps over the coming years." Only 12 percent say no steps are necessary but 26 percent do not answer. Asked whether less wealthy countries should limit their greenhouse gas emissions because they are "substantial and growing" or whether they should not do so because they are relatively low in per capita terms, Indians lean toward the former position by 33 percent to 24 percent. But nearly half of those polled (43%) would not take either position. Forty-seven percent of Indians favour an agreement requiring less wealthy countries to cap emissions in return for financial assistance and technology from wealthy countries while only 19 percent do not. But about a third (34%) would not answer. Compared to other publics, Indians are less aware of the issue of global warming: only 48 percent say they have heard or read a great deal (15%) or something (33%) about it while 36 percent say they have not heard much (33%) or anything (3%).

Indonesians agree that human activity is a significant cause of climate change and support taking immediate action to address the problem. But most Indonesians indicate that they are largely uninformed about the issue. More than seven in 10 (71%) agree that human activity contributes significantly to the problem of climate change. Nearly two out of three (64%) believe "major steps starting very soon" should be taken and another 22 percent favour "modest steps over the coming years." A modest majority (54%) believes that the developing world should take action to cap greenhouse gases "because total emissions from less wealthy countries are substantial and growing." Only 24 percent choose the opposing view that emissions from less wealthy countries are "relatively low per person" and therefore they need not take action. However, about one in five (22%) decline to take a position. Three out of four (78%) would support a deal requiring less wealthy countries to limit emissions provided wealthy countries give them financial assistance and technology. Indonesia has the largest majority who say they have not heard much about climate change: 65 percent say they have not heard much (47%) or anything (18%) about climate change, while just 28 percent say they have heard some (20%) or a great deal (8%).

Filipinos believe humans contribute to climate change and support taking immediate action to address the problem, though support is somewhat weak for emissions caps in less wealthy countries. More than three-quarters (76%) share the view that human activity, "including industry and transportation" is a significant cause of climate change. Filipinos support taking "major steps starting very soon" to address global warming (70%). Only 19 percent believe only "modest steps over the coming years" are necessary and very few (7%) think nothing should be done. Roughly half (49%) believe less wealthy countries should be expected to limit their "substantial and growing" emissions while 37 percent disagree because these emissions are lower in per capita terms than those produced in rich countries. Seven out of ten (71%) would favour a deal requiring less wealthy countries to impose emissions caps in return for financial assistance and technology from wealthy countries. Filipinos show moderate awareness of climate change: 63 percent say they have heard a great deal (38%) or some (25%) while just 36 percent say they have not heard much (31%) or anything (5%).

While South Koreans agree that human activity contributes significantly to climate change, they are somewhat less likely than other publics to support immediate action to address the problem. An overwhelming majority (91%) agrees that human activity is a significant cause of climate change. South Koreans favour "major steps starting very soon," instead of "modest steps over the coming years," by a relatively small margin of 48 percent to 45 percent. A majority (56%) of South Korean respondents take the position that because emissions from less wealthy countries are substantial and growing, they should be expected to impose caps. Only 39 percent accept the argument that because less wealthy countries produce relatively low emissions per capita, they should not have to enact limits. Seventy-two percent of South Koreans would favour a deal requiring wealthy countries to provide financial assistance and technology to less wealthy countries that agree to limit their emissions. Most South Koreans are aware of the issue of climate change: 95 percent say they have heard a great deal (43%) or something (51%) about it.

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