How do the German climate change, and what are your expectations for the international climate protection? While in Katowice, the delegations of 196 countries and the EU struggled to give concrete expression to the Paris climate agreement, researchers from the University of Hamburg of thousands of people in Germany ask. A representative picture of the mood, the previously unpublished results of the TIME available.
Therein Knowledge, attitudes, and intentions of the German mirrors. So only about a third of the respondents believe that the Two-degree target could still be achieved. Many, however, to want to understand and change their behaviour. Generally, the survey shows that climate change is a major concern. “More than two-thirds of people consider climate change to be personally important or very important Problem,” says the social scientist, Michael Brüggemann, a Professor of climate communication, and a member of the Hamburg cluster of excellence Clisap.
While many of the surveys – on behalf of the media, political parties, associations and non – governmental organisations-the character of a snapshot, the survey of scientists is something Special: it is a repetition. Three years ago, during the climate summit in Paris, they had explored the same questions of knowledge and attitude of the Germans. “Down to Earth” (English for down-to-earth) is the name of your project, in which it is studied, how the population information on the climate summit will receive and a rating. The first results were published, the researchers in the autumn of last year in Nature Climate Change (TIME no. 43/17). Just recycle the Numbers in the new survey.
From Paris to Katowice has actually changed quite a bit: Saw in the year 2015, 15 percent of respondents in climate change, one of the two “most important issues for Germany”, has doubled this value to 2018 is 30 percent. Clear interest in the topic at that time showed 36 percent; today it is 45 percent. The proportion of those, however, who did not want to have the Problem just is true, had remained “at a low level,” says communication scholar Carolyn De Silva-Schmidt. In addition, significantly more people reported in December 2018 than it was even three years ago that they discussed with friends and Relatives, Acquaintances and colleagues about the topic. “Overall, these Figures illustrate that the issue of climate change for people is important.”
but What follows from this? “About 40 percent of the people regard climate protection as an important factor in your decision,” says Brüggemann. Thus, every second Respondent wishes that Germany take a leading role in climate protection. “We do not see, however, that the Federal government does.” At the same time, the Trust decreases in the success of an international climate agreement. In 2015, one in four Respondents believed that today, only one out of every five. And Confidence, the Two-degree target is still achievable, even stronger: in 2015, agreed to the 45 percent somewhat or strongly, today there are almost ten percentage points less. After the end of the summit, Katowice, Brüggemann says: “This pessimism is appropriate.”
This article dates back to the TIME no 53/2018. Here you can read the entire issue.
Now is part of the image, the “Down to Earth”, but also the finding that many people want to do something. Almost every Second, it had the intention to in the future, when buying food, and in his personal mobility that protect the climate. More than a third, to act already today, according to (37 per cent while shopping, 45 per cent in the transport). If that’s true, and the answer ends about less flying or short distances with the bike, of course, with the Instrument of the questionnaire check.
Beyond purchase behavior to engage any third parties in the future, low-threshold, for example, by participating in Online petitions. After all, every Fifth is also considering active Engagement, for example, in a party or a non-governmental organization. “The people”, so this Michael Brüggemann interpreted, “faith is much stronger because you can make a difference, as the international climate policy can make a difference.”
