Following the report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), described as “code red”, published last week, today IPSOS published the results of the opinion poll conducted by Mori and the Global Commons Alliance.
The research includes a set of findings that assess public attitudes towards the planet’s critical thresholds, the leadership needed to sustain the planet, and the economic and societal transformations needed. The findings of the study provide some of the most detailed predictions ever made on this important issue within the G20 countries. 73% of people living in countries with the world’s largest
The survey also reveals that the majority of G20 residents (58%) are concerned or very concerned about the state of our natural resources that make up the global commons. 83% of respondents are willing to play a leading role in the sustainability of the planet and take action to protect and improve nature. People living in developing countries show more willingness to protect nature and climate than developed economies. The percentage of those who want to play a more active role is 95% in Indonesia, 94% in South Africa, 93% in China, 61% in Japan, 70% in Germany and 74% in the United States.
Owen Gaffney, lead author of the report titled ‘The Global Commons Survey: G20 countries’ attitudes towards global natural resource management and transformation’ and Communications Director of the Global Commons Alliance, said, “Our world is not headed for disaster with our eyes closed. “People are aware that we are taking a huge risk, they want to contribute more, and they are demanding that their governments play a more active role.”
Kenyan environmental and climate activist Elizabeth Wathuti, Founder of the Green Generation Initiative and Campaign Director of the Wangari Maathai Foundation, wrote in her foreword, “The majority of people in the world’s richest countries feel the same as me. They are concerned about the state of the planet and want to protect it. They want to be a leading role for the sustainability of the planet. “This is a warning to leaders around the world.”
The research also reveals the extent of discontent with the current economic system in G20 countries. 74% of people in G20 countries say their country should focus more on human well-being and the protection and improvement of nature, rather than policies focused solely on land and economic growth. This view is expressed by a very high percentage in all G20 countries. This view is particularly prominent in Indonesia (86%), Turkey (85%) and Russia (84%). But even in the countries with the lowest percentages, this view seems to reflect the majority: 68% of respondents in the US, 68% of respondents in the UK, and 69% of respondents in Canada take this view.
“The findings should give G20 leaders confidence to rapidly implement more effective policies to protect and improve our global commons,” says Gaffney.
The survey reveals that public awareness of the need for comprehensive and systemic transformations over the next decade, with which the scientific community has agreed to protect natural resources and meet the climate targets set by the United Nations in the Paris Agreement, is more limited. 59% of respondents in G20 countries agree with the need for energy transition, which should happen very quickly in the next ten years. Only 8% of respondents say that comprehensive economic changes are needed in the next ten years, including changes in diet and increased prices of products and services, including environmental costs and circular economies. However, 28% of respondents are aware of the scientists’ emphasis on the need for comprehensive change.
Gaffney said, “This situation is alarming. High-impact public awareness campaigns are needed to show the speed and scale of the transformation necessary to protect the global commons. This transformation is not limited to the energy sector, it is necessary to transform every aspect of life. In addition to preparing for the problems that may arise in people’s lives, “The benefits of information campaigns in daily life need to be emphasized. These benefits include increased employment, the opportunity to live in cities with low pollution, improved diets, increased social confidence, political stability and increased well-being of all segments of society.”
The global commons, clean air and climatic conditions, oceans, forests, ice sheets necessary for the continuation of life on the planet