Filenews 28 July 2024 - by Theano Thiopoulou
At a time when climate change and its consequences are among the main issues of concern and concern at a global level for governments, organizations, businesses, organized groups and the international society and our daily lives are directly affected, many Cypriots seem not to understand the climate challenge as much as it is imposed and that is why we have a score below the European average. In fact, there is a small percentage who think that all this climate change is a hoax.
To assess the public's understanding of climate change, the sixth edition of the EIB's (European Investment Bank) climate survey focuses on people's knowledge of climate change in three key areas: definitions and causes, consequences and solutions. Survey participants answered 12 questions and were ranked on a scale from 0 to 10, with 10 indicating the highest level of knowledge and perception.
Cypriot respondents scored 5.57 out of 10, a score below the EU average of 6.37 out of 10, in a knowledge test on the causes and consequences of climate change and solutions to tackle it. Finland leads the table with 7.22/10, followed by Luxembourg (7.19/10) and Sweden (6.96/10).
Knowledge gaps
Cypriots are generally aware of the causes of climate change, but there is room to improve their knowledge of the consequences and solutions.
Four out of ten Cypriots surveyed by the EIB (42%) were unaware that climate change is causing an increase in migration worldwide. A third (35%) were unaware that sea levels are rising due to climate change. Similarly to the findings in most EU countries, a large proportion of Cypriot respondents were unaware that reducing speed limits on roads (84%) or better insulation of buildings (65%) can help fight climate change.
How well do people understand the causes of climate change?
The first sub-indicator focuses on the definition and causes of climate change. In this area, Cypriots scored much lower than the EU average (5.74/10 vs. 7.21/10).
• When it comes to defining climate change, most respondents (58%, 13 percentage points below the EU average of 71%) chose the correct definition ("a long-term change in global climate patterns"). However, more than a third (35%) believe that this is just a rapid change of weather in a short period of time, especially in summer. Meanwhile, 7% think climate change is a hoax!
Two-thirds (66%) also know that the main causes of climate change are human activities, such as deforestation, agriculture, industry and transport. Meanwhile, a third of respondents believe the opposite (20% believe it is caused by extreme natural events such as volcanic eruptions and heatwaves, and 14% believe climate change is caused by the ozone hole).
When asked about the world's three largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions, only half of Cypriots (49%, 23 percentage points below the EU average) correctly answered the United States, China and India. The other half (51%) chose an answer that did not include China, indicating that they do not necessarily know that it is among the top three emitters of greenhouse gases – let alone the world's main emitter of CO2.
The consequences of climate change
How aware are people of the consequences of climate change?
When asked about the consequences of climate change, Cypriot participants scored 7.17 out of 10, slightly below the EU average of 7.65/10.
< 82% know that it has a negative impact on human health (for example, it can lead to an increase in air pollutants such as ground-level ozone and particulate matter).
< 81% also correctly said that climate change is exacerbating hunger in the world by affecting crop yields due to extreme weather.
< Regarding the impact of climate change on sea levels, 65% of Cypriots rightly said that global sea levels are rising, but more than a third (35%) got it wrong: more specifically, 13% of respondents said it is falling and 22% said that climate change has no specific impact on sea level.
< The impact of climate change on migration, with increased forced displacement worldwide, is clear for the majority of Cypriot respondents (58%, but 11 percentage points below the EU average).
< Most Cypriots (66%) are aware that using recyclable products can help mitigate climate change.
< 64% also rightly said that using public transport, rather than a single car, is a step in the right direction.
< But two-thirds (65%) don't know that better insulated buildings can help.
< At present, only a quarter of respondents (24%, 18 percentage points below the EU average) know that buying new clothes less often can help mitigate climate change.
< Very few respondents (16%, 10 percentage points below the EU average) seem to know that lowering the speed limit on roads would help mitigate climate change.
< Finally, most Cypriots are unaware of the significant CO2 emissions associated with digital use, with only 7% saying that watching fewer videos online can help fight the climate emergency.
< As in most European countries, only a minority of Cypriots (32%) were able to correctly define a person's carbon footprint as "the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions a person emits in a year".
Collective action is needed
Fighting climate change requires collective action – by governments, institutions, businesses and individuals. A good understanding of the climate challenge is essential for people to make informed choices.
To assess public understanding of climate change in Cyprus, the sixth edition of the EIB's Climate Survey focuses on people's knowledge of climate change in three key areas: definitions and causes, consequences and solutions.
Participants answered 12 questions and were ranked on a scale from 0 to 10, with 10 indicating the highest level of knowledge. With more than 30,000 respondents in 35 countries, including EU Member States, the United Kingdom, the United States, China, Japan, India and Canada, the EIB's climate survey provides valuable insights into people's overall understanding of climate change.
