HSBC: Developed Economies Show Greatest Indifference To Climate Change

July 23, 2007

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People in developing economies exhibit the greatest concern, commitment and optimism towards the problem of climate change and in developed economies the greatest indifference, reluctance and fatalism, according to HSBC Climate Confidence Index (PDF).

Overall, the survey reveals that citizens of China and India are most optimistic that the problem of climate change can be overcome, while those in France, Germany and the UK are least optimistic that a solution will be found.

The index also highlights the emergence of so-called ‘green rejection’ in the developed world – a rejection that climate change is a problem, of solutions to it and of the institutions proposing them. Green rejection is strongest in the UK and Germany, where respondents were among the least engaged and optimistic about the challenge. In the US, respondents were by far the most confident and optimistic of all the developed economies surveyed.

The research, based on a sample of 9,000 people in nine countries and across four continents, also demonstrates that:

Climate change is having a significant impact on public opinion in the developing countries surveyed. Around 60 percent of respondents registered a high level of concern in China, India, Mexico and Brazil, compared with only 22 percent in the UK and 26 percent in Germany,
With regard to whose responsibility it is to tackle the problem, a clear majority of all respondents across countries and age groups – 68 percent – believe that governments should be playing the leading role, compared with NGOs, companies and individuals. However only 33 percent felt that governments play this role today, and
People’s assessment of their commitment to tackling climate is higher in developing economies. Around 47 percent of people indicated high levels of personal commitment to combating climate change in India and Brazil, compared with only 19 percent in the UK.

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Reader Comments

I am on the one hand heartened to hear that my personal opinion was correct in thinking that I appear to be in such a slender minority (the UK 19%) of disillusionists, who are trying hard but rather certain that its but head banging in the end. HOwever, perhaps if others overseas are trying so much harder we should take some comfort from that. Unfortunately, since Thatcher deliberately destroyed the notion of ’society’here the chickens are now coming home to roost and we cannot get a sane national view or agreement on what should be being done (or by whom)in the general public interest.

I can only hope that the recent floods following on an unprecedentedly warm Spring will have some affect on a wider audience in time for them to wake up now rather than later.

We all should be helping others to make the connection between obscene ‘western’ consumerism and the events taking place around us.

Good luck.

Chris Shirley - Smith | July 26th, 2007

As world traveler, business man in America agree very strongly with this amebic number of those surveyed…who hit the railroad spike with a Tack hammer.
No where else but China is there Maglive wind turbines, You can buy…Hydrogen, Ethanol Cars in China.
No Government like China has Regulated serious Climate control, as they experience 17percent Glacier reduction. No where can you find Alternate medicine that avoids chemicals.
the list is mile long there, but not in America where “Apathy” is overwhelming.
Dean

Dean Merrick | July 29th, 2007

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