Climate change - are we still in denial?

By our executive director John Sauven, for Comment is Free.

A new Mori opinion poll has found that the public suspects that the negative effects of global warming predicted by scientists are being exaggerated. Fifty six per cent of respondents also said they think that the scientific community is split down the middle over whether or not climate change is real. So as a nation we're still officially 'sceptical' about climate change. Or are we? Greenpeace director John Sauven has his doubts.

The key finding from the Mori opinion poll is the fact that 70 per cent agreed that the government should take the lead in combating climate change even if it means using the law to change people's behaviour. Allied to this, 90 per cent are in agreement that climate change will have a significant impact on future generations. Much of the rest of the survey is noise - for example, the confused public perception that scientists are split down the middle on whether human activity is contributing to climate change. The clear fact is that scientists are almost unanimous in their agreement on this and the public is gradually getting their message, despite the best efforts of oil industry lobbyists to confuse the issue.

Government is elected precisely to take difficult decisions especially regarding future security - not just of the UK but the planet. It's also elected to make longer term decisions about the health and welfare of future generations who don't have a voice but are going to be impacted by the decisions we make today. And it also has a responsibilty to sort out problems that we in the West are historically responsible for, but which are likely to have the most dramtic consequences for people in the Southern hemisphere and developing countries.

Despite the headlines I don't believe the poll really shows the public are in denial about climate change. Public understanding of climate change is broadly increasing. I think what the poll does show is that the public are looking for leadership in dealing with a complex issue which requires bold action at both national and international levels. If we are in future going to have more 'quality' and less 'quantity' in our lives in order to live more sustainably then the government has got to transform and not just tinker with key issues around transport, agriculture and energy.

The economy rests on ecological foundations and, if we don't take strong measures to protect those foundations, then the economy won't survive. This opinion poll rightly points the finger at a government which has been good at the rhetoric but sadly lacking when it comes to the practical action.

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