Four out of five Canadians believe reducing greenhouse gas
emissions and global warming effects should be the government’s
top environmental priority, according to a poll released today
by the University of British Columbia.
The poll, conducted in September by Ipsos-Reid and included
in the university’s just-released 2001/02 annual report, indicates
that 43 per cent feel greenhouse gas emissions should be the
top priority, while 38 per cent feel that the resultant global
warming and climate change should take precedence. Loss of
old growth forests, fisheries and genetically altered food
finished behind these priorities.
"Research indicates that we have an opportunity in Canada
to very substantially reduce emissions through sustainable
development policies that will meet other societal objectives
as well," said Prof. John Robinson, of UBC’s Institute
for Resources, Environment and Sustainability. "This
increase in public concern is evidence that citizens want
their political leaders to take action on this issue."
"It is especially interesting to see that global warming
is moving up in the public’s consciousness," said Daniel
Savas, Vice-President of Ipsos-Reid. "Three years ago,
28 per cent felt it was a top priority, compared with today’s
figure of 38 per cent." Savas added that the increased
importance attributed to global warming issues is likely due
to the current national debates regarding the Kyoto Accord.
Savas noted that the UBC poll findings reflect research showing
that the environment has moved up the public’s agenda of top
public policy issues. In July of this year, he said, 10 per
cent of another poll’s respondents believed environmental
issues should receive the greatest attention from Canada’s
leaders – three times the number who shared this view one
year ago.
"The University of British Columbia is committed to
research that improves people’s lives and the human condition
in general," said UBC President Dr. Martha Piper. "We
show our accountability to the public by publishing the annual
report, and this year wanted to take that accountability a
step further, by relating our work to the issues of greatest
concern to Canadians."
The UBC poll also posed questions about healthcare, global
security and education. Some key findings include:
- 70 per cent think more funding and medical staff are required
for the healthcare system - 64 per cent believe poverty and injustice are the roots
of international terrorism - 58 per cent believe that society in general benefits the
most from university education – compared with 27 per cent
who feel that students themselves benefit most and 14 per
cent who feel business benefits.
Complete poll results are published in UBC’s online annual
report at www.ubc.ca/annualreport.
The online version of the report also includes an interactive
feature that allows individuals to submit their own views
on key poll questions.
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