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Climate scepticism 'on the rise' | Climate scepticism 'on the rise' |
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There has been an increase in the number of British people who are sceptical about climate change, a poll commissioned by BBC News has suggested. | There has been an increase in the number of British people who are sceptical about climate change, a poll commissioned by BBC News has suggested. |
It showed that 25% of those questioned did not think global warming was happening, an increase of 10% since a similar poll was conducted in November. | It showed that 25% of those questioned did not think global warming was happening, an increase of 10% since a similar poll was conducted in November. |
The percentage of respondents who said climate change was a reality had fallen from 83% in November to 75%. | The percentage of respondents who said climate change was a reality had fallen from 83% in November to 75%. |
The poll, based on a sample group of 1,001 adults, was conducted by Populus. | The poll, based on a sample group of 1,001 adults, was conducted by Populus. |
The findings, based on interviews carried out on 3-4 February, show that only 26% of people think "climate change is happening and is now established as largely man-made", only 1% more than those who think there is no global warming. | |
In November 2009, a similar poll by Populus - commissioned by the Times newspaper - showed that 41% agreed that climate change was happening and it was largely the result of human activities. | In November 2009, a similar poll by Populus - commissioned by the Times newspaper - showed that 41% agreed that climate change was happening and it was largely the result of human activities. |
"It is very unusual indeed to see such a dramatic shift in opinion in such a short period," Populus managing director Michael Simmonds told BBC News. | "It is very unusual indeed to see such a dramatic shift in opinion in such a short period," Populus managing director Michael Simmonds told BBC News. |
"The British public are sceptical about man's contribution to climate change - and becoming more so," he added. | "The British public are sceptical about man's contribution to climate change - and becoming more so," he added. |
"More people are now doubters than firm believers." | "More people are now doubters than firm believers." |
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' (Defra) chief scientific adviser, Professor Bob Watson, called the findings "very disappointing". | The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' (Defra) chief scientific adviser, Professor Bob Watson, called the findings "very disappointing". |
"The fact that there has been a very significant drop in the number of people that believe that we humans are changing the Earth's climate is serious," he told BBC News. | "The fact that there has been a very significant drop in the number of people that believe that we humans are changing the Earth's climate is serious," he told BBC News. |
"Action is urgently needed," Professor Watson warned. | "Action is urgently needed," Professor Watson warned. |
"We need the public to understand that climate change is serious so they will change their habits and help us move towards a low carbon economy." | "We need the public to understand that climate change is serious so they will change their habits and help us move towards a low carbon economy." |
'Exaggerated risks' | |
Of the 75% of respondents who agreed that climate change was happening, one-in-three people felt that the potential consequences of living in a warming world had been exaggerated, up from one-in-five people in November. | Of the 75% of respondents who agreed that climate change was happening, one-in-three people felt that the potential consequences of living in a warming world had been exaggerated, up from one-in-five people in November. |
SEE RESULTS IN FULL | SEE RESULTS IN FULL |
BBC poll on climate change [184KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader | BBC poll on climate change [184KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader |
Download the reader here | Download the reader here |
The number of people who felt the risks of climate change had been understated dropped from 38% in November to 25% in the latest poll. | |
During the intervening period between the two polls, there was a series of high profile climate-related stories, some of which made grim reading for climate scientists and policymakers. | |
In November, the contents of emails stolen from a leading climate science unit led to accusations that a number of researchers had manipulated data. | |
And in January, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) admitted that it had made a mistake in asserting that Himalayan glaciers could disappear by 2035. | And in January, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) admitted that it had made a mistake in asserting that Himalayan glaciers could disappear by 2035. |
All of this happened against the backdrop of many parts of the northern hemisphere being gripped by a prolonged period of sub-zero temperatures. | All of this happened against the backdrop of many parts of the northern hemisphere being gripped by a prolonged period of sub-zero temperatures. |
However, 73% of the people who said that they were aware of the "science flaws" stories stated that the media coverage had not changed their views about the risks of climate change. | However, 73% of the people who said that they were aware of the "science flaws" stories stated that the media coverage had not changed their views about the risks of climate change. |
"People tend to make judgements over time based on a whole range of different sources," Mr Simmonds explained. | "People tend to make judgements over time based on a whole range of different sources," Mr Simmonds explained. |
He added that it was very unusual for single events to have a dramatic impact on public opinion. | He added that it was very unusual for single events to have a dramatic impact on public opinion. |
"Normally, people make their minds up over a longer period and are influenced by all the voices they hear, what they read and what people they know are talking about." | "Normally, people make their minds up over a longer period and are influenced by all the voices they hear, what they read and what people they know are talking about." |