One third of Irish population see climate change as a 'real and immediate threat'
Significant Audiences That Do The Main That Most The Proportion Engaged Cause Understand A Found The Change Behaviour Of With Climate Not Is Report Human
Over a third (34%) of people in Ireland are alarmed about climate change and see it as a real and immediate threat, according to a study from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The study also found that almost half of the population (48%) are “concerned” about climate change and support policies being taken to address it.
On the other hand, 4% of Irish people are “doubtful” about climate change and not worried about it. Furthermore, they strongly oppose bans or increased taxation on home or transport fuels. 14% of the population, meanwhile, are “cautious” about climate change and do not think it will affect them personally.
The contrast in the views between the four cohorts prompted the EPA to dub its report “Climate Change’s Four Irelands” to reflect groups who shared the same set of beliefs, attitudes and behaviours when it comes to climate change.
Dr Eimear Cotter, the director of the EPA’s office of evidence and assessment, said: “People from cities, towns, villages and rural areas hold diverse views on climate change, but the study does not show a strong urban-rural divide. In relation to our attitudes to climate change, more unites us than divides us.”
The study highlighted that even among those alarmed or concerned about climate change, there is a lack of understanding among some about its cause.
About one in five of the “alarmed”, and about two in five of the “concerned” incorrectly say that climate change is “caused about equally by human activities and natural changes,” the EPA said.
A significant proportion of the audiences most engaged with climate change do not understand that human behaviour is the main cause, it added.
Unsurprisingly, those alarmed or concerned are much more likely to say that climate change is affecting weather in Ireland now, while the cautious or doubtful cohorts are less worried and perceive little to no climate change risks to their communities or themselves.
The EPA study found that only a small fraction of those cautious (8%) and a minority of the doubtful (40%) think that climate change is not happening.
EPA programme manager Mary Frances Rochford said: “Successfully addressing the challenge of climate change requires a diversity of messages, messengers and methods that reach each of these four audiences and must be tailored to meet their particular needs.
“This analysis provides a useful framework to help climate communicators identify and understand their target audiences to engage the public more effectively about climate change and solutions.”
CLIMATE & SUSTAINABILITY HUB