Climate still a top concern despite financial crisis: Survey

 From: AFP - November 26, 2008

Read Full Article: World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)

The environment remains a top concern despite the financial crisis, according to a global poll published Wednesday that finds 43% see climate change as a bigger problem than the economy. HSBC bank's second annual report on environmental concerns reveals residents of a dozen countries surveyed would like to see their governments take more decisive action to fight global warming. The survey included 1,000 people in each of Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Britain and the United States.

Over three quarters of those polled -- 78% -- wanted their countries to reduce their "fair share" of greenhouse gas emissions. A further 55% of people believed their government should invest in renewable energy, and 27% said they should take part in talks for a new international climate deal.

However, despite their appetite for government action, respondents appear less willing to change their own lives than in last year's poll; 47% said they were ready to change their lifestyle, compared to 58% in 2007. And only 20% said they were prepared to spend more for the environment, compared to 28% a year earlier.