Poll: New Zealanders' climate change fears are growing
New Zealanders are becoming increasingly concerned about climate change, a new poll has found. The number of Kiwis who feel the issue of climate change is important to them personally has grown to 79 per cent, from 72 per cent in 2018. This year, climate change has been a hot topic among New Zealand's youth, who organised two nationwide school strikes in March and May. The third strike will take place on September 27. Local councils in Auckland, Canterbury, Hawke's Bay, Nelson, Otago and Wellington have declared climate emergencies . Parliament is also considering the Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Bill. READ MORE: * Zero Carbon Bill: Who supports it and who doesn't * Kiwi school students strike again for urgent action on climate change * Environment Canterbury applauded for declaring region-wide 'climate emergency' * 'Taking stock' before second attempt at declaring New Zealand-wide climate emergency The poll was undertaken by market researcher Ipsos Ltd, and released by insurance company IAG on Wednesday. More than a thousand New Zealanders took part over a week in June. Participants were asked a series of questions, including their thoughts on the potential effects climate change could have on people. Sixty-nine per cent of people said they had become more concerned about climate change over the past few years - up from 60 per cent the year prior. More than three quarters of people said they thought some people might have to move from where they live as a result of climate change. Three quarters of people thought land use would need to be reconsidered, 72 per cent thought infrastructure would need to be upgraded, and 69 per cent expected businesses to be hurt and jobs to be lost. When asked about other effects of climate change; 86 per cent expected more frequent and extreme storms. Eighty-five per cent expected coastal locations to flood from sea levels rising, and 80 per cent expected the loss of ecosystems and the extinction of animal and plant species. However 47 per cent of people thought climate change would create new jobs and businesses. Participants were asked how they would rate action on climate change to date, and only 41 per cent thought the country's approach to it was on the right track. Kiwis were divided on the Government's performance, with 35 per cent saying it was good, versus 28 per cent saying it was poor. Only 33 per cent were confident New Zealand would be able to reduce its emissions to reach its current targets. Only 32 per cent were confident that New Zealand will be able to reduce the impacts that climate change will have on homes, businesses and communities. When asked about their own actions, 67 per cent said they were prepared to act to reduce the impacts that climate change will have on them. But only 54 per cent of people said they knew what they needed to do. Only 47 per cent felt their actions would be effective. While 32 per cent said they had all the information they needed to reduce the impacts that climate change will have on them. When asked about how the Government should respond to climate change , 79 per cent want the Government to provide guidelines to councils on what they should do to reduce and avoid the impacts of climate change. While 71 per cent thought it should also amend laws to empower councils to take action. Just over half of people thought funds should be provided to help protect homes and businesses from the physical impacts of climate change. When asked about local councils, 74 per cent of people wanted local councils to provide information on the local impacts of climate change. * Comments on this story have now closed.