Eight in 10 Greeks cutting back on heating as costs rise, poll finds
Eight of 10 Greeks are being forced to spend less on their heating than they used to a year earlier, according to a survey carried out ahead of the start of heating oil distribution for the winter.
The survey carried out by Public Issue for WWF Greece underlines that the high cost of heating is forcing Greeks to cut back or find alternative ways of keeping warm.
Fuel firms are expecting a very slow winter as heating oil is expected sell for 1.25 to 1.30 euros per liter following the rise in of the special consumption tax last year. The levy went up from 60 euros per 1,000 liters to 330 euros.
As a result many more Greeks burnt firewood last winter, leading to smog appearing in the country’s biggest cities.
The Public Issue poll found that 32 percent of Greeks believe that air pollution from cars and fireplaces is Greece’s most serious environmental problem.
Carried out as part of WWF’s Better Life program, the survey indicated that 55 percent of Greeks believe the country’s environment is in a poor state.
