‘Biggest shift yet’ in British public’s attitude to risks of climate change

03/03/2020

Research reveals climate concerns now second only to Brexit and highlights rising fears over flooding and heatwaves.

Britons believe climate change is one of the most important issues facing the country in the next 20 years, according to UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funded research, led by Cardiff University.

A wide-ranging survey examining social attitudes to the risks and impacts of climate change suggested the issue was now second only to Brexit for the British public. 

The survey, part of a project funded by UKRI through the Strategic Priorities Fund and carried out by a team of researchers from Cardiff University and Climate Outreach, also highlighted rising public concern about storms, flooding and, in particular, heat impacts, and suggested strong support for policies to address these.

“This is a remarkable shift in British public opinion – the biggest change we’ve seen in recent years,” said Professor Nick Pidgeon, from Cardiff University’s School of Psychology, who led the project. 

“With climate policy entering a critical phase, as the UK prepares to host the UN climate summit – and as many areas seek to recover from winter flooding – these survey results provide strong evidence of a shift in perceptions among the British public towards greater concern for climate risks and their impacts.

“Many people are beginning to worry and care enough to demand wide-ranging action from government on the climate crisis.”

The study, based on 1,401 nationally-representative respondents to a survey conducted in October 2019, found: 

 On beliefs:

 On climate impacts:

 Public support for climate action: 

 “The current sharp rise in risk awareness is a real departure from that trend,” said Professor Pidgeon, “and this is probably due to prominent recent severe weather events, widespread climate protests and greater media coverage.”

The research is part of the ​UK Climate Resilience Programme​, an £18.7m interdisciplinary collaboration, funded by UKRI through the Strategic Priorities Fund and jointly led by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the Met Office, and involving the Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) the Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC) and the Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC).

Dr Kate Lonsdale, co-champion of the UK Climate Resilience Programme, said: “The scientific consensus is increasingly clear that climate risks are increasing in likelihood and severity. 

“Now we have evidence that people in Britain see these risks are relevant to their lives today rather than something that will happen in the future and in other places.”

UKRI is tackling climate change head on by funding the pioneering research needed to deliver real change.

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