Leslie Massey
Australians' beliefs about climate change vary, with some surveys reporting that 77% of Australians believe climate change is occurring, while others state that only 60% of Australians believe climate change is human-caused. A Griffith University survey found that only 15% of Australians believe climate change is an extremely serious problem, and only 22% believe it is an extremely serious problem right now. There is a clear expectation for government action, with 87% of respondents in one survey indicating that they believed climate change should be a priority for the government. However, only 40% of Australians believe that businesses in Australia are committed to climate change.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of people who don't believe in climate change | 12% (2023)24% (2022)15% (2022)20% (2023) |
| Percentage of people who believe climate change is occurring | 77% (2023)83% (2022)57% (2022)78% (2023) |
| Percentage of people who believe climate change is an extremely serious problem | 15% (2022)22% (2022)2% (2022) |
| Percentage of people who believe climate disruption is human-caused | 60% (2024)63% (2024) |
| Percentage of people who believe the government should address climate change | 87% (2022)66% (2022)83% (2022) |
| Percentage of people who believe businesses should address climate change | 65% (2022)60% (2022) |
| Percentage of people who believe individuals should address climate change | 60% (2022) |
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What You'll Learn
Climate change denial demographics
A survey conducted in 2023 found that 12% of Australians did not believe that climate change was occurring, a decrease from 24% in 2022. The level of doubt is significantly higher in New South Wales, with one in three (32%) expressing skepticism.
Young people are much more concerned about climate change than older generations, with 15% of older Australians stating they don't pay attention to climate change news. Women are more concerned than men, and city dwellers perceive the issue as more serious than those in regional and rural areas. News consumers in regional Australia are less likely to follow climate change news, with 21% stating they aren't interested, compared to 11% of city residents.
Right-wing news consumers are more likely to ignore climate change reporting and are less likely to consider it a serious issue. A survey of 2,131 Australians found that consumers of commercial AM radio (2GB, 2UE, 3AW) and Sky News were more likely to consider climate change "not at all" or "not very" serious (35%), followed by Fox News consumers (32%).
While 83% of Australians are concerned about climate change, there is a clear expectation for government action, with 66% agreeing that Australia should do more to address the issue. However, only 40% believe that Australian businesses are committed to climate change efforts.
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Climate change concerns
While Australians show concern about climate change, there is a perceived gap between their threat perception and the urgency conveyed by scientists. Notably, only 15% consider it an extremely serious problem, and a mere 8% anticipate its effects within a decade. This discrepancy may arise from decades of government denial and a lack of scientific funding, influencing public opinion.
The Ipsos Climate Change Report 2022 highlights that 83% of Australians are concerned about climate change, with 70% believing Australia is already impacted, particularly by extreme natural disasters. Sixty-six percent agree that Australia should do more to address this issue, and 64% want the country to lead in emissions reduction.
Australians recognize the importance of government action, with 60% supporting mandatory environmental performance reporting for publicly listed companies. They also acknowledge the role of individuals, but perceive their impact as lesser than that of the government and businesses. Additionally, 46% believe the resources, mining, oil, and gas sectors can positively impact climate change, followed by the energy sector at 43%.
Despite Australia's extreme weather events, only 60% accept that climate disruption is human-caused, according to an international poll. This percentage is the lowest among the countries surveyed, indicating a higher level of skepticism in Australia compared to the global average.
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Public expectations of government action
Climate change is an issue that has attracted significant attention in Australia, with a majority of the public acknowledging the existence and impact of climate change. As such, there are high expectations for the Australian government to take decisive action to address this global challenge.
Recent surveys and opinion polls provide valuable insights into public sentiment and expectations regarding government efforts to combat climate change. According to a 2022 report by the Climate Council, an
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Trust in information sources
However, the Australian public's trust in information sources about climate change is complex. While there is a recognition of climate change as a reality, there is disagreement about its causes and solutions. Research has shown that politicians, the government, and the media are often described as untrustworthy sources due to perceived vested interests. Instead, independent scientists are considered the most trusted information providers on climate change.
The peer-review process plays a crucial role in ensuring the reliability and quality of information. Peer-reviewed papers and assessment reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) are subject to rigorous scrutiny by scientific experts and government reviewers. This process enhances the credibility of the information presented and provides a level of quality control in scientific discourse.
Additionally, Australians also look to businesses and individuals to play a role in addressing climate change. There is a perception that businesses can drive innovation and transparency, particularly in the resources, mining, energy, and transport sectors. However, only 40% believe that Australian businesses are committed to climate change action.
Overall, while trust in information sources about climate change varies, there is a growing awareness and expectation among Australians for action from multiple sectors, including government, businesses, and individuals.
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Perceived threat vs scientific urgency
Climate change is already affecting Australia, with the country experiencing more frequent and extreme natural disasters, including heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires. In 2020, the mean temperature in Australia exceeded the reference value by 1.15 degrees Celsius, and the total volume of rainfall has declined in recent years. Despite the scientific evidence and the observable effects of climate change, a survey conducted in 2023 found that 12% of Australians still did not believe that climate change was occurring, although this represented a decrease from 2013.
The perceived threat of climate change in Australia varies across the population. While a significant majority (83%) of Australians express concern about climate change and its impacts, there is a clear expectation for government action, with 66% agreeing that Australia should be doing more to address the issue. Australians also perceive businesses as having a crucial role in driving innovation and technology solutions, with 65% believing there should be a focus on helping these entities become leading innovators, especially with renewables.
The scientific urgency of climate change is evident in the widespread effects already observed globally. According to NASA, changes driven by increased human emissions of heat-trapping greenhouse gases are having significant impacts on the environment. These include shrinking glaciers and ice sheets, rising sea levels, more intense and frequent heatwaves, and shifts in plant and animal geographic ranges. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has stated that some changes, such as droughts, wildfires, and extreme rainfall, are occurring faster than previously assessed, and some of these changes are irreversible over the next hundreds to thousands of years.
While the scientific community has provided robust evidence of climate change and its impacts, there is still a degree of skepticism and denial surrounding the issue. Some sources question the accuracy of temperature data, citing flaws in global temperature records and potential biases in data adjustments. However, the scientific consensus remains clear, and the urgency of addressing climate change is undeniable, given the current and projected future effects on the planet.
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Frequently asked questions
According to a survey conducted in 2023, 12% of Australians stated that they did not believe that climate change was occurring. This is a lower proportion compared to 2013.
There has been a substantial increase in the number of individuals who believe that climate change is occurring. In 2022, the annual Ipsos Climate Change Report showed that 83% of Australians are concerned about climate change, with 70% believing that Australia is already being affected by it.
Australians' views on climate change are influenced by various factors, including age, education, and political affiliation. Older, less educated, and more politically conservative individuals are more likely to deny or be sceptical about climate change.
Australians have a clear expectation for the government to take action on climate change. 87% of respondents in a survey indicated that they believed climate change should be a priority for the government.
There is a gap between how Australians perceive the threat of climate change and the urgency expressed by the global scientific community. While most Australians believe that climate change is occurring, only a small percentage consider it an extremely serious problem.
