Survey released on Chinese awareness of climate change

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Is climate change truly understood by the public in China? A nationwide survey conducted by a third party might provide an answer.

One finding is the number of people who think they are affected by climate change has increased by 15 percent from 2012 when the first such survey was done.

It also shows the majority of Chinese worry about climate change, and are even willing to pay to offset their carbon footprint.

Picture by Weather China show the temperature increase in China in 55 years. /Picture provided by Weather China

Picture made by Weather China show the temperature increase in China in 55 years. /Picture provided by Weather China

According to Wang Binbin, co-founder of the Chinese Center for Climate Change Communication and head for the survey, more and more Chinese have felt the influence of climate change, especially global warming, and they hope to get more knowledge and see more action on tackling the problems.

In survey results, over 70 percent think air pollution comes from human activities, and they are calling for more action, not only from the government but themselves. And environment-friendly ways of life are being adopted, like using shared bikes.

The researchers said they gathered samples through telephone calls, which were picked up randomly, but from almost all urban and rural areas in China. Ding Mai told CGTN that the total number of samples they gathered is 4,025, and they are representative and balanced, based on the international ways of conducting such survey.

According to the public opinion survey in China, the first answers to the question how climate change affects people’s life is “global warming” and “smog”. /Photo provided by Chinese Center for Climate Change Communication

When asked about who should take responsibility for protecting the environment, the general answer is government first, media second, and the commonwealth organizations the third. These are the opinions the public holds.

Experts say such reports offer a sample of public opinion that helps the government to take measures in combating climate change.

Wang Binbin commented that based on such awareness, the government can make more efficient policies to save the environment.

And for Zhang Haibin, a professor from Peking University, this delivers a positive signal for policymakers, to believe that they are right in taking positive measures in domestic and international environment protection.

Experts say the public is the driving force for promoting a low-carbon society, and their opinions as well as actions are the foundation for meeting this goal.