Climate change

A recent Ipsos survey indicates that nearly two thirds of people are bothered by noise from neighbours. The noises that disturb people most are those from everyday living - footsteps, doors slamming and shouting. The survey finds that noise from children bothers 16% of those surveyed and noise from cars and motor bikes, as well as shouting bothers 15%. The poll, commissioned by the National Society for Clean Air (NSCA) highlights neighbour noise issues affecting people across the UK at the start of Noise Action Week (see notes).

As the Government begins its major review on the future of energy, an extensive survey published today (17th January) of the British public's attitudes towards future energy options shows that just over 50% may be prepared to accept new nuclear power stations if it would help to tackle climate change. But few actively prefer the nuclear option over alternatives such as renewable sources and greater energy efficiency. Most people believe that promoting renewable energy sources (78%), and reducing energy use through lifestyle changes and energy efficiency (76%) are better ways of tackling climate change than nuclear power.

Research among the British general public on behalf of the Nuclear Industry Association shows that most (59%) now expect nuclear energy to be part of the future mix of energy sources.

Research by MORI for EDF Energy shows that the British public places great emphasis on combating global warming: 79% agree that the most important thing is to reduce global warming by producing less carbon dioxide. They also value self sufficiency for the UK — 83% would like us to aim to be self sufficient in energy. However there is a weaker consensus over how these aims should be achieved.

MORI was commissioned by Envirowise to undertake a survey of SMEs in specific sectors (construction and various sectors of the services sector).

Latest research by MORI, on behalf of Garden Organic (previously HDRA), shows that there is huge potential to encourage the use of organic methods among British garden owners. Almost half (48%) of British garden owners still use weed killers in their gardens. In addition, two-fifths do not feed their soil with garden compost which is vital for maintaining its fertility, and another third (32%) do not actively encourage wildlife into their gardens.

A quarter of people in Britain (27%) claim to be well-informed about green belts, according to new research from MORI. The survey, conducted to coincide with the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of green belts in Britain, shows a similar proportion (25%) say that they know nothing about them.

New MORI research reveals that people's perceptions about what they can do to help the environment are out of step with their actual environmental impact.

A new MORI public opinion survey shows last week's establishment of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority to have made little impact on public awareness. The NDA is also shown to be facing some challenges with regard to its anticipated tendering of nuclear clean-up contracts to overseas companies, as well as a wider lack of confidence in the decisions being made about the future of nuclear energy in Britain.