“Global Survey Reveals Overwhelming Concern for the State of the Natural World”
The Global Commons survey conducted earlier this year revealed that a significant majority of people worldwide are deeply concerned about the state of the natural world. Approximately 70 percent of the 22,000 respondents agreed that human activities are pushing the Earth past critical tipping points, such as the loss of the Amazon rainforest or disruptions in the Atlantic Ocean’s currents. The same number of respondents also emphasized the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions within the next decade.
The survey, conducted by Earth4All and the Global Commons Alliance across 22 countries, including low-, middle-, and high-income nations, aimed to gauge public opinion on societal transformations and planetary stewardship. The results, released recently, underscored a shared worry among people from diverse backgrounds about the health of ecosystems and the environmental challenges that future generations will face.
While the majority of respondents expressed high levels of concern about the environment, regional differences were observed. Residents of emerging economies like Kenya and India felt more exposed to environmental and climate shocks, leading to heightened levels of concern. However, overall, 59 percent of all respondents reported being very or extremely worried about the current state of nature, with an additional 29 percent expressing some level of concern.
In the United States, a more complex picture emerged from the survey results. Despite empirical evidence showing the impact of climate change across the country, with intensified hurricanes, droughts, wildfires, and rising prices of goods, roughly half of Americans felt they were not exposed to environmental risks. Additionally, a significant portion of U.S. respondents believed that high- and middle-income Americans were not responsible for global environmental issues, attributing the blame to businesses and governments of wealthy nations.
Experts noted that translating concern for the environment into tangible action requires individuals to recognize their stake in addressing environmental challenges. However, the survey revealed a disconnect between public sentiment and political action, with environmental issues often ranking lower in priority compared to other concerns like the economy and healthcare. This discrepancy, according to experts, could be influenced by the influence of polluting industries on the political system and the lack of environmental issues as a major voting concern.
One area where public opinion aligns with recent political developments is the support for criminalizing acts that cause serious environmental harm. About three-quarters of survey respondents expressed a desire to see such actions classified as criminal offenses. The concept of “ecocide” as a crime has gained traction globally, with discussions ongoing about incorporating it into international law and national legislation in various countries.
Overall, the survey results highlight a widespread concern for the environment among the global population, emphasizing the need for greater awareness, accountability, and action to address pressing environmental challenges and ensure the health of the planet for future generations.