Latest news with #ClimateConversations2025
Irish Independent
15 hours ago
- General
- Irish Independent
Irish public feels ‘more despair than hope' about climate change, new research reveals
People expressed a growing worry about climate change but also a strong sense of powerlessness to do anything. A greater proportion said they felt despair than said they felt hope and just one in seven believed the Government had a clear climate action plan that co-ordinated action between the State, business and people. The research shows that people want to be more involved in climate action and recommends that 'community climate hubs' are set up to pool ideas. The findings come from the fourth round of the annual Climate Conversations consultation exercise undertaken by the Department of Climate, Energy and Environment. Just under 2,000 people responded, expressing their concerns around climate change and their role in responding to it. The overwhelming majority, 90pc, said they were worried about climate change, 71pc being 'very worried'. Extreme weather events and global insecurity due to migration and food shortages were the main impacts feared. When asked about their emotional response to the issue, frustration was the dominant feeling, reported by 67pc. Worry came next, reported by 54pc, followed by powerlessness, at 51pc. Anger, sadness and anxiety were also reported. A small proportion, 6pc, reported feeling apathetic and 9pc were resigned to the issue, while 12pc reported feeling confused and 11pc felt sceptical. Of those involved in community organisations, 54pc said there was some element of climate action to their participation. ADVERTISEMENT Litter and waste management were the main activities, reported by 31pc, followed by active travel and sustainable transport, 29pc, and land use or forestry initiatives, 26pc. Among those not involved in any form of community climate action, a majority said they would like to do something. Growing food in community gardens was the most popular suggestion, getting a positive response from 60pc, followed by active and sustainable mobility initiatives, 58pc, and repair and reuse projects, 52pc. The report found misconceptions around the impact of certain climate action measures with people undervaluing the emissions reductions in switching to electric vehicles, installing heat pumps and reducing meat consumption. They tended to overstate the impact of recycling, reducing food waste and flying. Climate minister Darragh O'Brien said the report provided the Government with a great understanding of the issues on the public's mind when it came to climate action. However, the report notes that while views were gathered at various events, those who responded online tended to be more engaged with the topic than the general public and were also more likely to be urban dwellers, well-educated and more affluent. The Climate Conversations 2025 consultation opens today and will accept submissions for the next 12 weeks.
RTÉ News
19 hours ago
- General
- RTÉ News
Respondents express 'powerlessness' during climate survey
Frustration, worry and powerlessness are the three most commonly felt emotions by respondents to a survey about climate change. The Climate Conversations 2025 report is based on 1,949 responses to a Government consultation. Only one in seven of those who filled in the survey believe the Government is delivering a clear plan for climate action. The number of people who responded to this latest round of Climate Conversations in 2024 is down about 50% from the previous year. The Department of Climate, Energy and Environment says its findings "should not be considered as reflective of the wider general population," but it does give a snapshot of what people in Ireland who are engaged with climate change believe. The percentage of those who are very worried or somewhat worried about climate change has increased by three points to 90%. Concern is particularly high amongst women and people living in urban areas. The belief that climate change is extremely, very or somewhat important is also more widely shared, up by three percentage points to 91%. Perceptions of who is most responsible for delivering climate action have not changed much with around three quarters of responses listing the Government, business and industry and the European Union. The percentage of those who believe they are doing more than other individuals on climate action has increased from 52% to 61%, but the share of those who say they should more also grew from, from 72% to 76%. Perceptions of what actions people could take to reduce their own carbon emissions also shifted. The change most widely perceived to be most effective was reducing the number of flights taken which topped the rankings, up from 31% in 2023 to 38% last year. This was followed by retrofitting at 28% and installing solar panels or a wind turbine. The report says "overall, transport-related activities received more nominations this year, with reducing flights and using public transport increasing significantly. However, switching to or buying an EV decreased significantly, possibly a reflection of mixed messaging received from the media." The consultation also asked people about their involvement in community organisations and activities and the report says the responses "highlighted the benefits and challenges of building capacity for climate action at a community level. Harnessing the power of existing communities of place and interest in tandem with one another represents an efficient means to accelerate action across communities." It also warns that "the further decline in perceptions of the benefit of Electric Vehicles on emissions highlights one of the more significant perception-reality gaps amongst this population. "Despite evidence to the contrary, the population vastly underestimate the benefits of Electric Vehicles," it added and it recommends that work needs to be done on this alongside continuing education on the benefits of public transport and active travel.
