Climate concern falls but still stronger than economic fears
Concern for the environment has dropped 20% since 2007 as people shift their focus to Australia’s struggling economy, according to the inaugural Green-Tracker survey.
But Andrew Baker, director of the report’s author Mobium Group, says community concern about the impacts of global warming and climate change still remains strong.
Nearly 75% of Australians remain concerned or very concerned about climate change, while 86% say drought and water shortages are their top issue. In comparison, 60% are concerned about their job security and 64% are worried about falling asset prices.
“It would appear there has been a re-prioritisation as the financial crisis hits home,” he told insuranceNEWS.com.au. “But given the magnitude of press reports about economic issues and the fact that it’s starting to impact on some people, the level of concern about the environment is still remarkably robust.”
This will be good news for insurers who are up to their necks in claims from recent natural disasters, many of which are blamed on the impacts of climate change.
Mr Baker says where companies will need to be more careful is with green products and services. The survey found while people are still willing to buy organic food, green energy and carbon offsets, the price they are prepared to pay for those has diminished.
The survey also found 35% haven’t heard of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme and 65% could not name the scheme’s initial reduction target of 5%. Mr Baker says it is likely people are not concerned about it as they know the Government is acting on it.
Meanwhile, CSIRO scientist Mike Raupach told last week’s Copenhagen Climate Change Conference that the effects of global warming will be worse than predicted by United Nations experts two years ago.
“Forests, grasslands and oceans are absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere faster than ever but they are not keeping pace with rapidly rising emissions,” he said.
But Andrew Baker, director of the report’s author Mobium Group, says community concern about the impacts of global warming and climate change still remains strong.
Nearly 75% of Australians remain concerned or very concerned about climate change, while 86% say drought and water shortages are their top issue. In comparison, 60% are concerned about their job security and 64% are worried about falling asset prices.
“It would appear there has been a re-prioritisation as the financial crisis hits home,” he told insuranceNEWS.com.au. “But given the magnitude of press reports about economic issues and the fact that it’s starting to impact on some people, the level of concern about the environment is still remarkably robust.”
This will be good news for insurers who are up to their necks in claims from recent natural disasters, many of which are blamed on the impacts of climate change.
Mr Baker says where companies will need to be more careful is with green products and services. The survey found while people are still willing to buy organic food, green energy and carbon offsets, the price they are prepared to pay for those has diminished.
The survey also found 35% haven’t heard of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme and 65% could not name the scheme’s initial reduction target of 5%. Mr Baker says it is likely people are not concerned about it as they know the Government is acting on it.
Meanwhile, CSIRO scientist Mike Raupach told last week’s Copenhagen Climate Change Conference that the effects of global warming will be worse than predicted by United Nations experts two years ago.
“Forests, grasslands and oceans are absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere faster than ever but they are not keeping pace with rapidly rising emissions,” he said.