Over half of society say climate crisis is a greater threat than virus

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KONDA Research company and İklim Haber (Climate News) have published their third "Perception of Climate Change and Economic Problems in Turkey" report amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Prepared on the basis of face-to-face interviews conducted with 3,431 people across Turkey, the study aims to find out what citizens think about the gradually aggravating climate crisis and how or whether the pandemic has affected their environmental awareness. 

According to survey results;

• One out of every two people in Turkey thinks that climate crisis is a greater crisis than the virus.
• Seven out of every 10 people express concern about climate change.
• Society wants investments to be made in agriculture and renewable energy for economic recovery in the post-corona period.
• 75 percent of the society indicated that green areas must be protected in the face of climate change. 85 percent of the participants object to cutting of trees for the sake of economic development.

'Climate crisis is a greater crisis'

When the participants were asked "Some say that climate change will lead to a greater crisis than the one caused by the coronavirus; accordingly, which of the following fit your views best," 51.5 percent of them answered, "Yes, climate crisis is a greater crisis than the virus."

While 42 percent of the participants indicated, "Climate crisis is also serious, but it is not such an urgent matter", only 6.5 percent answered that "there was no such thing as a climate crisis."

Worries about climate change

The survey results have also shown that climate change is a matter of concern for seven out of every 10 people in Turkey. While 14.7 percent of the participants said that they were very concerned about climate change, 54.6 percent said that they were concerned about it.

When the answers are analyzed, it is also seen that 71.4 percent of people are aware that climate change is caused by human activities.

Thermal plants and green spaces

When participants were asked, "What should be done about climate change," 75.7 percent said that "green areas must be protected."

While 38.5 percent said that "carbon dioxide emissions caused by transportation must be reduced", 30.4 percent indicated that "energy efficiency in buildings must be increased" against climate change.

23.1 percent of the participants said that "thermal power plants must be closed" and 15.6 percent said "international conventions must be abided by."

When they read the sentence "Forests can be cut for economic development", 55 percent of the participants said "Definitely wrong" while 29.4 percent said that it was "Wrong."

Which sectors must be invested in?

Another question added to this year's survey due to the pandemic was "Which sector do you think must be invested in after the coronavirus?"

While 53 percent answered this question as "Agriculture," 36.5 percent said that investments must be made in "renewable energy." 13 percent said that investments must be made in "fuels such as coal and gas" and only 8.7 percent answered as "construction." (TP/SD)