“Global Concerns Shift: Environmental Issues Take Center Stage Over Socioeconomic Challenges”
According to the latest data from GlobeScan’s global public opinion research, there has been a noticeable shift in people’s concerns towards environmental issues compared to socioeconomic issues over the past decade. The data from GlobeScan’s Radar shows a significant increase in environmental concern following a low point in 2014, as tracked through two separate indices.
The indices displayed in the chart represent the average percentage of people considering issues in each index as “very serious” across 16 countries over time. Environmental issues such as air pollution, biodiversity loss, climate change, shortages of fresh water, water pollution, and depletion of natural resources have seen a rise in concern. On the other hand, socioeconomic issues including the spread of human diseases, extreme poverty, the global economy, income inequality, unemployment, and human rights abuses have seen a lower level of concern.
The results indicate a clear trend where people are more focused on environmental issues than socioeconomic issues, with a notable difference in the proportion of people who rate these issues as “very serious.” Even in emerging economies, where concerns about socioeconomic issues are slightly higher, environmental issues still take precedence.
This shift in public opinion sends a strong message that the idea of a “green backlash” is not as prevalent as some may think. Despite economic challenges and security concerns, the public is more concerned about environmental issues. This highlights the importance for governments and businesses to prioritize the green agenda while also addressing socioeconomic issues in a balanced and just manner.
The data is based on a comprehensive online survey of nearly 30,000 individuals across 31 countries and territories. GlobeScan’s Radar draws upon their extensive database of public opinion polling spanning over two decades, providing valuable insights into people’s perceptions of societal actors and the issues that impact them.
The survey asked participants to rate various global problems as very serious, somewhat serious, not very serious, or not at all serious. The results from this survey highlight the growing importance of environmental issues in the eyes of the public, urging stakeholders to take action to address these concerns.
Overall, the data from GlobeScan’s research underscores the need for a holistic approach to addressing both environmental and socioeconomic issues, ensuring a sustainable and equitable future for all.