Over three quarters of people believe climate change is a serious threat to the United Kingdom according to the results of a representative survey by researchers at the University of Leeds.
Almost 20% of those who responded included climate change in their top three most important issues facing the UK today – below economic issues and health care but above housing, crime, and education.
The report was compiled by the Climate Evidence Unit – an independent service provided by world-leading experts at the University's Priestley Centre for Climate Futures.
In the lead up to COP, this provides the government and other policy makers with some very clear evidence that they need to engage with people's concerns about the need to adapt.
The last survey of this kind was carried out in 2020 but researchers were keen to assess the public response to record breaking temperatures in 2022 as well as the effects of the cost-of-living crisis.
Dr Rachel Harcourt, a Research Fellow in the School of Earth and Environment who co-authored the report, said: "That people want lots more climate action, led by government, is not that surprising. What did surprise us is the extent to which people prioritised the basics of food, water, health, and wellbeing.
"In the lead up to COP, this provides the government and other policy makers with some very clear evidence that they need to engage with people's concerns about the need to adapt."
Researchers surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1,192 UK citizens aged between 19 and 87 about their perceptions of climate change and the actions being taken to protect against its effects.
The survey was carried out in spring 2023 and followed record breaking temperatures exceeding 40℃ in the summer of 2022. The results point to extreme weather already damaging people's homes and impacting health and well-being:
- 69% think that the UK is already feeling the effects of climate change.
- Over 50% report experiencing discomfort during a heatwave with 28% reporting heat-related health impacts.
- Nearly 1 in 10 say they had experienced flood damage to their home.
Those surveyed thought that climate change would further impact food, water, and human health in the near future, with over three quarters agreeing that it was fairly or very likely that the UK would experience increases in food pricing, water shortages, and coastal erosion by 2050.
70% of respondents thought the UK should be addressing climate change with a high or extremely high level of urgency.
Most respondents were more concerned about, and prioritized types of adaptation actions related to affordable food, water availability and health and wellbeing.
When asked who should have some responsibility for preparing the UK for the impacts of a changing climate, the respondents mentioned several groups, including business and industry, local authorities, and the Environment Agency.
However, when asked who should be the most responsible, 69% said they thought it should be the UK government.
John Barrett, Professor in Energy and Climate Policy and Director of the CEU, added: "This is further insight from our Climate Evidence Unit highlighting the importance of adapting to climate change alongside rapid reductions in our greenhouse gas emissions. The report clearly shows that there is a strong public mandate to address climate impacts."
