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Climate change acceptance

12 Oct 2021

Q. Do you believe that there is fairly conclusive evidence that climate change is happening and caused by human activity or do you believe that the evidence is still not in and we may just be witnessing a normal fluctuation in the earth’s climate which happens from time to time?

Q Oct’21 Jun’21 Jan’21 Jan’20 Nov’19 Mar’19 Oct’18 Sep’17 Aug’16
Climate change is happening and is caused by human activity 59% 56% 58% 56% 61% 62% 63% 64% 57%
We are just witnessing a normal fluctuation in the earth’s climate 30% 27% 32% 32% 28% 27% 25% 24% 26%
Don’t know 11% 16% 10% 13% 11% 12% 13% 12% 17%
Base (n) 1,097 1,087 1,084 1,081 1,083 1,089 1,027 1,011 1,022

 

  Total Gender Age Group Federal Voting Intention
  Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Labor TOTAL: Coalition Greens TOTAL: Other
Climate change is happening and is caused by human activity 59% 60% 58% 62% 60% 55% 70% 49% 77% 48%
We are just witnessing a normal fluctuation in the earth’s climate 30% 31% 29% 28% 27% 36% 23% 39% 15% 47%
Don’t know 11% 9% 12% 10% 13% 9% 7% 12% 7% 6%
Base (n) 1,097 540 557 342 366 389 362 414 94 138
  • The majority of people accept that climate change is happening and caused by human activity (59%). This is consistent with previous years.
  • 30% think the changes in climate are part of a natural cycle and 11% are unsure. Those most likely to think we are witnessing a natural cycle include those aged over 55 (36%), Coalition voters (39%) and those voting for an independent or minor party (47%).
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