Record Number of Australians Worry About Climate Change, Says Report
More Australians are worried about climate change than ever before, a survey has found.
Think tank The Australia Institute on Wednesday published its annual Climate of the Nation report, which tracks Australians’ attitudes to climate change since 2007.
It revealed that 75 per cent of 2626 respondents said they were worried about climate change -- the highest proportion in the survey’s history.
Sixty-nine per cent were supportive of a target to reach net zero emissions and 82 per cent said Australia should phase out coalfired power stations.
Two third of voters believe the federal government should be doing more to increase electric vehicle (EV) uptake in Australia.
“There is a shift in how Australians see bold climate action, with three in four Australians agreeing it will bring opportunities for new jobs and investments,” said Richie Merzian, Climate and Energy Programme Director at the institute.
“The majority of Australians want the Federal Government to move now on decisive climate action, rather than wait for other countries to act.”
The report was released as the federal government negotiates a climate policy ahead of the United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference -- also known as COP26 -- in Glasgow at the end of October.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has previously flagged a 2050 net zero target but is facing opposition from members of the Nationals Party, which forms the governing coalition with Morrison’s Liberals.
Launching Wednesday’s report, the Opposition Labor Party’s climate change and energy spokesperson, Chris Bowen, said Australia was at risk of being left behind on climate policy.
“The needle has shifted in the public debate around climate change. Morrison has spent his time as Treasurer and Prime Minister developing slogans instead of policy,” Mr Bowen said.
“He’s always too little too late, and it’s Australians that bear the brunt through higher power bills and less new energy investment. It’s a global race to become a renewable energy superpower - it’s clear Australians are on board it’s past time for the Government to join them.”