World Worried As Much About Climate As Covid

The world is worried about the coronavirus. It’s equally concerned about climate change. Nearly 70 percent of people in 14 countries say climate change is as big a threat as the spread of infectious disease.

Jariel Arvin, October 20, 2020 (VOX)

Even amid a pandemic that has killed more than 1 million people, infected over 40 million, and tanked economies, people around the world are still extremely worried about the threat posed by climate change…[A] median of 70 percent of respondents in 14 countries identified climate change as a major threat to their countries, while 69 percent expressed the same level of worry about the spread of infectious disease…Majorities in all countries surveyed said both issues were major causes for concern. When comparing the two problems, respondents in eight countries were more worried about climate change as a significant threat…

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Many of the countries witnessed a substantial increase in the percentage of people who view climate change as a major threat since Pew first asked the question…In 2013, a median of 55 percent of respondents in 10 countries said climate change was a major threat, compared to 76 percent in 2020…The results of the Pew Research Center poll, which was conducted from June 10 to August 3, 2020, might seem surprising given how much space the Covid-19 pandemic has taken up in our global consciousness…[Reports citing the drop in carbon dioxide emissions may have caused people] to consider the impact of their personal choices on the environment…[and] governments around the world to consider “green” stimulus plans…” click here for more

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