Poll: Most Finns willing to bear costs of fighting climate change

Commission estimates per capita costs at EUR 3 a week

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A majority of Finns would be willing to pay three euros a week to fight climate change. The amount is what the European Union has estimated as the per capita costs of the effort. Three out of four respondents to a poll commissioned by Helsingin Sanomat and conducted by Suomen Gallup said that they would be at least fairly willing to take part in the costs of such an effort.
      European Commission President José Manuel Barroso has estimated the annual per capita cost at EUR 156 a year until 2020.
     
Eight respondents out of ten see climate change as at least a fairly great threat, and three out of ten say that it is a very great threat.
      Few believe that climate change can be stopped, but three out of four feel that climate change can be slowed down. A clear majority feel that they do something to slow climate change - men more frequently than women.
     
A majority are willing to recycle and sort their waste, cut back on consumption, and to use public transport instead of driving their own car. Nearly all respondents were willing to recycle, while 69 per cent were open to driving less - six percentage points more than in a previous poll in September last year.
      More Finns are also willing to pay more for energy than before. However, the figure was still only 29 per cent of respondents. Fewer than half were in favour of a climate tax on all products and services.
     
There was little change since September in attitudes toward different sources of electricity. Four out of ten remain at least somewhat opposed to a sixth nuclear reactor, while slightly over half are in favour of it at least to some extent. Only four out of ten women want more nuclear energy.
      Supporters of the National Coalition Party are most pro-nuclear (74 per cent) while 27 per cent of supporters of the Green League feel the same way.
      The proportion of those staunchly opposed to nuclear power decreased by two percentage points from the previous climate and energy poll to 18 per cent, while those adamantly in favour of it declined by four points to 21 per cent.
     
Increased use of wind power is supported by 92 per cent of respondents, and 86 per cent want to use more peat, wood, and other biological energy sources.
     
The survey involved telephone interviews with 1,000 residents of mainland Finland over the age of 15, taken between February 4th and 14th. The margin of error is three percentage points in either direction.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  EU energy package to hit consumers in coming years (24.1.2008)
  Helsinki decision-makers debate energy issues at Sanoma House (22.1.2008)
  Climate change brings mild and rainy winter weather - and it is here to stay (18.2.2008)
  Poll: Finns willing to curb consumption to slow climate change (26.9.2007)

Helsingin Sanomat