Needed Changes Not Happening

Britons Unwilling to Change Despite Climate Threat
by Martin Hickman
Published on Monday, April 2, 2007 by Independent / UK

Few people are making significant changes to their lifestyle to counter climate change despite a widespread acceptance of its dangers, according to new research.

A snapshot of attitudes for the Energy Saving Trust found that while 80 per cent of the public believed climate change was affecting Britain, almost half were doing nothing to halt its impact. The Green Barometer, based on polling of 1,192 households in February, found that while many were prepared to do small things such as conserving water while brushing their teeth, most were not prepared to miss out on a foreign holiday or a plasma television.

Forty per cent of people were doing nothing to use less energy, while a further 39 per cent were prepared only to make small changes. Only 4 per cent had made big lifestyle changes.

Strong environmental initiatives were also unwelcome. The public considered strong green measures such as new taxes, road charging and carbon rationing to be less socially acceptable than banning smoking in public or same-sex marriages.

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“Numerous psychological studies have shown bringing about significant changes in our own attitudes, beliefs and behaviour is always difficult and often traumatic,” he said.

“Often, indeed, such changes occur only as the result of some major crisis.”

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