Region has little concern on climate change

People in the Goulburn region are less concerned about climate change than the rest of Victoria, according to a Sustainability Victoria survey.

Only 56 per cent of people surveyed in the Goulburn region, including Shepparton, were concerned about climate change, compared to 78 per cent in Victoria as a whole and 81 per cent in Greater Melbourne.

While Goulburn region residents were just as sceptical about climate change as other Victorians, 58 per cent agreed it was an issue requiring urgent actions immediately, compared with 78 per cent in Victoria.

Sustainability Victoria lead social researcher Dianna McDonald said there was also a troubling ‘‘perception gap’’.

She said when the Victorians who believed in climate change and action were asked how many other people thought the same, they said 48 per cent.

‘‘The reality is different to what they perceive,’’ she said.

‘‘This is not a good thing because they’re less likely to act, talk about and support action when they feel like they’re in a minority.’’

However, Ms McDonald said when the seven per cent of Victorians who were climate change sceptics were asked, they said about half thought like them.

‘‘Even though the sceptics are under 10 per cent, they think half the population thinks the same, so they’re emboldened,” she said.

Ms McDonald has been discussing the results of the Victorians’ Perceptions of Climate Change report around Victoria, stopping off in Shepparton last week.

She said the report was released about a year-and-a-half ago, surveying 210 Goulburn region residents and 3333 people across the state.

Although Goulburn region residents may not be as concerned about climate change as the rest of Victoria, 84 per cent believed they could take meaningful action, also showing strong support for renewable energy.

Ms McDonald also said the recent bushfires may have increased Victorians’ concerns about climate change.

‘‘The survey shows there’s a gap between the Federal Government’s action and what people want,’’ she said.

Story from The Shepparton News - “Region has little concern on climate change.”