Some remain in denial about climate change

Wednesday 18 December 2024

Recent research data suggests more people are buying into conspiracy theories, and are ditching or denouncing messages of protecting the planet.

893 people from Guernsey took part in an Island Global Research survey, with the majority of respondents aged 16 - 24 category (11%) or between 50 and 54 and 55 and 59 (both 9%).

One of the most attention grabbing statistics generated by the survey showed that those who “don’t think the climate is changing” have been emboldened, growing from 1% in 2019, to 3% now.

Other statistics saw a slight growth (from 4-5%) of Guernsey residents thinking that human activity isn’t responsible, but climate change is real.

Those who think humanity is partly responsible has shrunk from 38% down to 34%, and there was also a 1% shrink for those who think that human activity is 'mainly responsible', dropping from 58% down to 57%. 

Pictured: There's some stark differences when it comes to the age breakdowns and attitudes towards climate change. Older islanders believe that climate change is a threat to future generations just as frequently as everyone else, but just 1 in 3 are worried or alarmed, compared to half of islanders between 16 - 39. 

The survey freely admits there is a margin of error by 3.3% for the island so some of those statistics could be taken with a grain of salt. 

IGR used the information from across the islands to assign respondents into one of six segments, ranging from high belief, high concern and motivation, to low belief, least concern and motivation.

In Guernsey, 46% said they were 'Alarmed' by climate change and are convinced that human action has caused climate change, it’s an “urgent threat” and they strongly support political policies that combat climate change. 

30% were deemed to be 'Concerned'. They too think the climate change threat is caused by human activity, and support similar political policies, but tend to believe that any impacts are still far away in either time, or distance, and so although it’s an issue, they see it as a lower priority. 

11% are 'Cautious' around climate change. IGR say this group aren’t fully convinced whether or not the climate is changing, they’re not sure if human activity is involved or if it’s an issue at all. 

Pictured: Slide dealing with with islanders attitudes towards climate change, courtesy of Island Global Research.

Fewer than 1% of respondents are 'Disengaged' - they know little about climate change, and rarely or never hear about it. 

7% say they are "Doubtful', as they think that either the climate isn’t changing or that it’s part of a natural cycle.

Meanwhile 6% of respondents are 'Dismissive' - they don’t think climate change is caused by human activity, a potential threat or even exists in the first place.

IGR says “most endorse conspiracy theories, such as ‘climate change is a hoax’ ”.