High Concern about Climate Change Persists During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Seriousness of Climate Change and Global Warming, “Very Serious,” Average of 17 Markets,* 2003–2020
Even with parallel worries about COVID-19 and the economy, environmental issues are still highly concerning for people around the world. Across 17 markets surveyed over the past two decades, a majority continue to think of a range of environmental issues as being “very serious.” Concern about climate change has grown dramatically since 2014 and continues to be at its highest point in 17 years of tracking (the other high point was in 2009 during the time of COP15 in Copenhagen).
These findings suggest that the pandemic has not weakened public expectations around climate and environment and that there are likely high expectations for significant commitments at COP26 in November of this year.
Notes:
- Question wording: For each of the following possible global problems, please indicate if you see it as a very serious, somewhat serious, not very serious or not at all serious problem.
- Data source: GlobeScan Radar 2020, survey of 27,000 people in the general public in June 2020).
