Global warming and plastic waste top UK environmental concerns

New research has shown that global warming tops a list of environmental concerns in the UK, closely followed by plastic waste.

Good Energy, a green electricity company, commissioned the research from pollsters YouGov. 2110 people took part in an online poll which quizzed them on their greatest worries for the environment and what they are doing about it.

29 percent of people cited global warming as a top threat, followed by plastic waste on 24 percent. Below these were threats to wildlife (16 percent), air pollution (12 percent) and deforestation (10 percent). 5 percent of respondents said they had no concerns.

The results also showed generational division with global warming being highest among 18 to 24 year-olds, while older people are more concerned about plastic waste.

CEO and Founder of Good Energy, Juliet Davenport, said, “The insight that gives me optimism from this research is how concern for global warming is greater for younger generations — this shows that the message is getting through, and provides hope for the future provided we can convince more people to turn their anxieties into action.”

When it came to acting on these concerns the highest responses were recycling rubbish (86 percent) and using a bag for life (85 percent). Using energy and water more efficiently was also a main response.

There was some cause for concern as more people said they did nothing for the environment (5 percent) than those who drove an electric or hybrid car (3 percent).

“It’s understandable that our actions on climate change don’t necessarily match how much we care about the issue. It can seem like an almost existential struggle, too big for anyone to take on so it has to be dealt with ‘top down’ by our world leaders,” said Ian McKee, Good Energy’s Communications Manager.

“We have seen world leaders pledge to take action, but that doesn’t mean we can’t take action on an individual basis too,” he added.

The results echo those from an official government poll released yesterday, which showed 27 percent of people were “very concerned” about climate change. 74 percent in total showed some concern.

Source: Good Energy