Britain is becoming a nation of climate change sceptics with more than a third of people thinking that global warming claims are exaggerated, a survey has revealed.
Just 24 per cent of people thought scientists were overstating the problem in 2000 – but that figure has now soared to 37 per cent.
And although 54 per cent regarded air pollution from cars as ‘very’ or ‘extremely’ dangerous to the environment 11 years ago, it had declined to 28 per cent last year.
Rise of the climate change sceptics: Declining fears of global warming have come as Britain has experienced a series of freezing winter. Here workmen clear snow in Glasgow today
The recession is thought to be one of the primary reasons behind the growth in climate change scepticism – with people worried about making ends meet than protecting the environment.
The figures, published in the annual British Social Attitudes report, also suggested Britons are fed up of having green taxes slapped on their utilities bills.
While in 2000 31 per cent supported green levies, in the new study just 22 per cent said they are in favour.There is also little support for the type of road tolls being considered by ministers – less than one in five believe drivers should pay more to use busy roads.
That means 2/3s don’t believe they are exaggerated.
that is the real story!
An odd survey.
On the one hand, the headliner.
More than a third of people now think global warming claims are exaggerated.
But the devil is in the details:
Just 24 per cent of people thought scientists were overstating the problem in 2000 – but that figure has now soared to 37 per cent.
Although 54 per cent regarded air pollution from cars as ‘very’ or ‘extremely’ dangerous to the environment 11 years ago, it had declined to 28 per cent last year.
In 2000 31 per cent supported green levies, in the new study just 22 per cent said they are in favour.
The proportion who think it is TRUE that fossil fuels contribute to climate change has fallen from 35% down to 20%.
Across the board, only 43 per cent of people now believe climate change is dangerous for the environment – down from 51 per cent in 1993.
Neat TREND.
DOWN.