Saving The World Will Have To Wait - Most Americans Need Convincing

Britons are now much more willing to take action to reduce climate change than Americans, who remain unconvinced of the need to change their behaviour, despite being the world's biggest polluter. Recent research by MORI for the Climate Group shows that Great Britain's population is more willing to consider 'acting now' to tackle climate change than is the US (63% vs 46%). By contrast, Americans are more hesitant, saying that 'wait & see' is the preferable course of action (41% vs 27% in Britain).

The survey findings show that attitudes haven't changed significantly since 1999, in Britain or America. The only slight change is in America, where people are a little more likely to be undecided about whether climate change should be tackled (13% vs 7%).

There is some evidence that certain groups in both countries will be in the forefront of calling for change - and in implementing lifestyle changes at a personal level.

• In the US, there are regional patterns. The North-East & West (including New York & California respectively) appear more willing to support action than do the Central & Southern States
• There is some evidence - in both countries - that more affluent groups (whether defined by social class, race or urbanity) tend to be more supportive of action than do others.

However, gender and child-rearing make little difference in people's willingness to tackle climate change. Furthermore, young people are no more likely to support taking action on climate change. Indeed, Britons aged under 25 are actually more reluctant to act than generations above them [the 25-54 year olds]. Only among those aged 55+ do levels of resistance to action reach the same levels. In Britain, there is particular resistance among older men. In the US, age appears to have little impact on people's support for action on climate change.

Technical Details

MORI interviewed nationally representative samples of 2,020 adults aged 15+ across Great Britain (between 7-12 October 2004), and 1,011 adults aged 18+ across the USA (between 19-22 November 2004). Interviews were conducted face-to-face (GB) and via the telephone (USA) and in both cases the results are weighted to exactly represent the population profiles. The British survey covered 190 sampling points.

Preferred Action on Climate Change

Q As you may know, scientists are uncertain how much impact human activities have on the world's climate.

Some people say we should not take major action to reduce human impacts on climate until we know more, because of the great economic costs involved.

Other people say we should assume the worst and take major action now to reduce human impacts on climate, even if there are major costs.

Which of these points of view best reflects your own?