We're getting more worried about climate change — and want Government to act
Two out three people are more concerned about climate change than they were a few years ago, according to a just-released survey by insurance company IAG. The survey of 1000 people found 69 per cent reported they were either more or a lot more concerned about the issue. Just over a quarter said their concern hadnt changed in recent years while 4 per cent were less concerned. As a country, our worry is starting at a high base: since 2019, four out of five of us have reported the climate is an important issue of personal concern. READ MORE: * What does the Climate Change Commission's roadmap mean for our lives? * Climate change: Kiwis happy with government action but keen for more * Six New Zealands of climate change: Which one are you? Asked if Aotearoa is moving fast enough, less than a quarter of respondents agreed, and 41 per cent disagreed. Many people think our country is falling behind, said IAG NZ climate spokesperson Bryce Davies. New Zealanders need to see meaningful action that shows we understand and are reducing the risks posed by our changing climate. Yesterday, the Climate Change Commission released its final carbon budgets and advice . It advised the Government to introduce a number of policies to significantly cut emissions, to achieve our target of net zero long-lived gases in 2050. A growing proportion of the country 44 per cent, up from 30 per cent in 2019 thinks the Government is the most responsible for taking action on climate change. The IAG survey found another 22 per cent of people think businesses and industry are the most responsible for taking action. This figure has also risen steadily in the yearly surveys. One in six respondents think its up to individuals and their families. The Climate Change Commissions report is very focused on cutting emissions. However, theres another side to the issue: how well live with the impacts of the climate change that are already locked in, Davies said. Even if we hit 1.5 degrees Celsius, theres still some pretty profound changes in terms of our weather, storms and floods. The vast majority of respondents (more than 80 per cent) understand that climate change will increase the risk of heat waves, droughts, wildfires, storms and floods, as well as causing sea level rise. People conceptually get that theres going to be more intense storms. I think theres a distinction between people saying: It might flood more often to Im the one thats going to be flooded, he said. Do people make this connection when disasters strike? If you think about the conversations in Auckland around water levels and droughts, when you think about the fires at Port Hills or Lake Ohau; when you think the [Canterbury] flooding people notice those things and it ratchets up their understanding, he added. Its just unfortunate that we have to have those events for people to recognise it. A public focus on cutting carbon is understandable, Davies said. To be fair, youve got to stop making the problem worse. Yet the survey suggests people are starting to recognise wider impacts. The commissions final report projected jobs would be lost in some industries (such as fossil fuel extraction and car maintenance ) but should grow in others (such as EV battery refurbishment, electricity transmission and forest pest control). Of the survey respondents, more than 70 per cent already understood some businesses will suffer in the transition and jobs will be lost, while 54 per cent agreed it will create new jobs and businesses. Some survey participants said the pandemic had impacted their views on climate change 29 per cent said Covid-19 had strengthened their concern. For many in this group, lockdown showed them the type of environmental improvements that could be made. In contrast, 7 per cent reported they were now less concerned. The vast majority (62 per cent, up from 53 per cent in 2020) said it had little effect on their views. The survey was conducted in May by market research firm Ipsos and has a margin of error of 3.1 per cent. Stay on top of the latest climate news. The Forever Project's Olivia Wannan will keep you in the know each week. Sign up here .