The number of Australians who believe in human caused climate change is almost equal to those who believe a changing climate is a natural occurrence. This brings into question how many people would support measures to address climate change that assume a human influence.
In a study conducted over the span of five years, CSIRO- an Australian research organization, examined Australian’s attitudes toward climate change. The survey reached 17,500 people between 2010 and 2014 and aimed to expand understanding of Australian’s views and beliefs relating to climate change.
The survey showed that an overwhelming majority—78%—of Australians believe climate change is happening when asked as a yes or no question.
The same survey shows that while significant portions of Australians believe in human caused climate change, overall Australians under estimate how many others hold this belief. The charts below show predicted versus actual belief in climate change and various climate change causes. However, when looking at the actual data, the number of Australians who believe in human caused climate change is almost equal to those who believe a changing climate is a natural occurrence. This brings into question how many people would support measures to address climate change that assume a human influence.
In order for Australia to take action to address its emissions and contribution to climate change, people must support the idea that these actions will be beneficial to the overall effort to combat climate change. It remains to be seen if measures to reduce Australia’s GHG emissions will have enough public and political support to meet their Paris commitments.
Learn More
https://publications.csiro.au/rpr/download?pid=csiro:EP158008&dsid=DS2