Poll: Finns want politicians to take action on climate change

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Finns are seriously concerned about the prospect of climate change. A fresh poll shows that more than half of Finns feel that the climate issue gets far too little attention in political decision-making in Finland.
      Nine out of ten felt that efforts to adapt to the effects of climate change need to begin now, regardless of how successful those efforts might be.
      The survey was conducted by Ajatuspaja e2, a think tank with links to the Centre Party. The poll is based on answers from 1,112 Finns to questionnaires that were mailed to them.Nearly half of those receiving the questionnaire responded.
      The survey is the most extensive assessment of Finnish attitudes toward global warming.
     
Nine out of ten respondents believe that climate change is a real phenomenon. Six per cent saw it as the most serious environmental problem ever to face humanity.
      There is also extensive agreement that climate change is completely, or at least primarily the result of human action.
      Concern is felt in all population groups and age groups, and political party affiliation also makes little difference. For instance, half of supporters of the Centre Party feel that climate change has been receiving too little attention in political decision-making. Among supporters of the conservative National Coalition Party, the figure is 57 per cent.
      Respondents reported getting most of their information on climate change from television and newspapers. The Finnish Meteorological Institute and research institutes in general are seen to be the most trustworthy sources, as well as the Ministry of the Environment, environmental officials, and environmental organisations.
      As sources of information, only one in five had any confidence in the forest industry and other export industries, or the energy industry. Fewer still had confidence in political parties, international energy corporations, or the United States administration.
     
Choices made by individual citizens are seen as decisively important in solving the climate question by one in five people.
      Most respondents give more weight to decisions by large developing countries, such as China and India, as well as action that should be taken by the United States, and extensive, binding environmental treaties.
      Three out of five felt that the EU should unilaterally reduce its emissions, even if others make no such commitments.
      Four out of five were ready to embark on personal actions to help the environment. Women were slightly more willing to do this than men were, but differences among different population groups were fairly small on this matter as well.
      While the survey showed a good deal of concern, Finns are also fairly optimistic. More than three out of five feel that it is possible to significantly slow the progression of climate change.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  EU study: Climate change will initially benefit Nordic regions (8.1.2007)
  Al Gore in Helsinki - expects USA to join Kyoto Climate Treaty soon (6.9.2007)

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