By Asitha Jayawardena
62% of 9000 people in nine countries say that their main environmental challenge is climate change, according to the survey conducted by Kantar Public.
When it comes to sharing the responsibility of climate action, the survey identifies an individual and collective commitment, says Emmanuel Rivière, Director of International Polling and Political Advisory of Kantar Public.
The survey was conducted between 22 September and 1 October among 9,000 adults aged 18+ (1,000 respondents per country) in the US, UK, France, Germany, Spain, Netherlands, Poland, Singapore, and New Zealand.
Some interesting highlights of the survey are given below:
Climate change, a shared concern
When asked about the three main environmental challenges currently facing the world, 62% of nine countries said climate change, ranging from 56% of the US and Poland to 78% in Singapore. Climate change is the first choice of 8 out of 9 countries and the exception is Poland, where air pollution came at the top.
From the answers to the individuals on the impact of climate change, 78% said at global level, 76% said at a country level and 55% said at a personal level. However, 77% responded at an individual level in Singapore.
The interplay was between the government’s commitments and the collective community effect. Governments should lead with a strong prescriptive role from national authorities but research found that it is not the case.
Lack of responsibility from the national governments
When asked what are needed for their national governments to better preserve the environment and the planet, the respondents selected:
42% Higher sense of responsibility
34% Willingness to invest more
30% Awareness
29% Independence from economic interests
29% Collaboration with other countries
28% Support from the general public
The choice of a higher sense of responsibility, which achieved 42%, was the first priority in the US, Spain, Poland and Singapore and the second in the UK, the Netherlands and New Zealand.
In all nine countries, large corporations are perceived to have a lack of responsibility for climate action. One way is to improve this situation is regulation. Therefore, the power should be with national governments in terms of public policy.
Moreover, people expect their national government to have a higher responsibility for protecting the environment while thinking that they do their bit to the best.
Easy solutions and limited lifestyle changes for citizens
Out of 17 measures, the top five are these:
57% Reducing waste and increasing recycling
54% Stopping deforestation
52% Protecting endangered animal species
47% Building energy-efficient buildings
46% Banning the use of polluting substances in industry/ agriculture
Apart from the first one of waste reduction and recycling, the others are not required of the efforts of individuals.
The bottom five are these:
23% Reducing travel by planes
23% Increasing the price of products that do not respect environmental criteria
22% Banning fossil fuel vehicles
18% Reducing meat consumption
17% Reducing international trade
Reducing air travel, banning fossil fuel vehicles and eating meatless food are the ones that have an impact on individuals.
What the developing world say…
The nine countries are developed but what do the millions of people in the developing world would say?
More…
Sharing the responsibility for climate action https://kantar.turtl.co/story/public-journal-04/page/3/1?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=public04
Sustain 
In developing countries much of the problems happened due to “The Big Shift” of the industries from developed countries. Now they are forcing developing countries to follow the norms which they never did. We need alternative solutions rather than just talking. Water Quality has worsened
in India.
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Thank you for the comment, Prashant 🙏
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