Climate change and energy

Concern about climate change

Australian concern about climate change has ebbed and flowed over the past decade. In 2020, the majority of Australians (59%) continue to view climate change as a critical threat to Australia’s vital interests in the coming decade. However, some concern about climate change may have been overshadowed by the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic uncertainty. In 2020, 56% of Australians say ‘global warming is a serious and pressing problem. We should begin taking steps now even if this involves significant costs.’ This is five points lower than in 2019, and 12 points below the peak of concern in 2006 when 68% expressed this view. Eight in ten Australians say that the Australian government should focus on renewables, even if we need to invest more in infrastructure to make the system more reliable.

Climate change and energy
Concern about climate change

Question

Since the climate change debate began in Australia, have you personally become more concerned or less concerned about climate change than you were when the debate began in Australia, or, have you not changed your mind at all?

This question was asked in 2012.

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Question

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