Climate of the nation - National Report - Prepared for The Climate Institute April 2017

o 33% say that we are experiencing ‘a lot’ of climate change o Only 6% say that we are not experiencing climate change, and 3% don’t know 10 10 What are perceived as the causes of climate change “Which one of the following statements is closest to your opinion?” QB9 o Half (50%) of Australians believe that humans are the main cause of climate change. [...] o 33% believe that natural causes are the main cause of climate change o 13% Don’t know and 4% don’t believe that climate change is happening at all “What do you think the average Australian believes to be the main cause of climate change?” QB10 o 24% of Australians believe that the average Australian doesn’t know the cause of climate change (only 13% themselves ‘don’t know’). [...] 11 11 Beliefs about climate change in Australia “For each of the following statements about climate change please indicate the extent that you agree or disagree?” QB11 Statements Disagree Neutral Agree The seriousness of climate change is exaggerated 43 17 33 I trust the science that the climate is changing due to human activities 18 18 57 There are too many conflicting opinions for the public to. [...] o The significant majority of Australians (61%) believe that Australia should work harder with the other countries to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement (71% of Labor supporters, 84% of Greens, 48% of The Coalition supporters). [...] 24 24 Rating the performance of groups on taking action on climate change “How would you rate the performance of each of these groups in taking action on climate change?” QB23 o Of the eight groups in the community measured, the performance of the Federal government in taking action on climate change is rated worst of all eight, with 18% saying that they do a terrible job and a further 23% saying.