Young Greeks skeptical about climate change
Survey shows that while there is concern, a large proportion does not link it to natural disasters
As the COP28 summit gets under way in Dubai to discuss climate change, the results of a Greek public opinion poll conducted after the devastating Storm Daniel in September has shown that that young people in Greece are skeptical about climate change.
The survey by Metron Analysis on behalf of the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature (EEPF) was presented at a conference a few days ago. It showed that although society is concerned about climate change, a large proportion does not yet associate it with major natural disasters.
They may be considered more informed, but younger generations are more suspicious of climate change than their parents.
Among the conclusions of the survey was that following the widespread natural disasters of the summer, there is now more general pessimism. Indicatively, 57% of respondents believe that the country is moving in the wrong direction. The feeling of pessimism is more pronounced among the younger generations, rising to 71% among Generation Z (17-26 years old) and 67% among Millennials (27-42).
As for the most important problems on a global level, climate change is in first place with 29%. Interestingly, however, it is separated by respondents from the destruction of the natural environment, which was the second most popular answer with 21%.
In terms of perceptions of climate change, 84% believe climate change is actually happening. In demographic terms, it is worth noting that the 15% who do not accept the existence of climate change increases relatively among younger generations (Gen Z 19%, Millennials 17%), people with basic or secondary education (20%) and those who identify themselves politically as “right-wing” (28%), indicating that the relative suspicion may have many dimensions.
“We often think that people are now quite informed about climate change, but it is very interesting that in the survey responses they distinguish it from the destruction of the natural environment, as if they do not understand the connection,” said EEPF President Nikos Petrou.
“This is a wider issue, as a significant proportion of society perceives warming as the main indicator of climate change, but not, for example, fires or biodiversity loss,” he added, while noting his concerned about the rise of climate change deniers among young people. “All over the world there are youth movements on climate change. In our country, the younger generations are suspicious. A growing percentage of them believe that climate change is not man-made. For me, this fact is difficult to interpret and in any case it is not in line with international reality.”
