Climate change is considered by Greek citizens to be the most important problem that concerns the planet today, according to a survey by Metron Analysis conducted on behalf of the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature, on the topic “Tendencies of civil society on the Climate Crisis in Greece and the Kosmos” and was presented in the framework of the conference of the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature entitled “Climate Era”.

Specifically, in this survey, in a question posed regarding the most important problems that citizens consider the planet to be facing, the first place of the references is climate change with 29%, as the major issue that concerns the planet today and follows, with an increased percentage, the destruction of the natural environment (21%), while all other reports move in single digits.

However, it is surprising that when asked what you consider to be the most important problems facing the country, the first place is occupied by accuracy (30%), followed by the economy (21%), while the destruction of the natural environment occupies the third place with 9%.

“So a double observation emerges: Climate change, possibly also due to the summer season of extensive natural disasters (fires) that were largely attributed to the climate crisis, seems to be by far the No. 1 perceived problem of the planet, and if we take them into account as well increased references to the destruction of the natural environment, perhaps there is an indication of increased sensitivity to environmental issues.

At the same time, however, the present survey confirms an observation that also concerned the corresponding survey of 2022: while citizens consider environmental issues to be major at the planetary level, at the same time, and despite the timing of the devastating summer fires, at the national level they do not they assign the same importance (the destruction of the natural environment is, as we have seen, in third place with 9% against 3% in the 2022 survey, while climate change in both surveys registers only 1%), “Metron Analysis” notes the research in its conclusions and adds that: “This shows a mental gap that is currently not being bridged. Global does not translate to local. The potentially increasing public awareness of environmental and climate crisis issues at the global level does not go hand-in-hand with a similarly intense sensitivity at the national level. Different national priorities arise precisely because people perceive the problem as global rather than local. The apparent absence of strong regulatory rules and global interventions contributes to this asymmetry, but at the same time the ineffectiveness of national policies, especially when the phenomena associated with the climate crisis are more violent».

In this research, an attempt was made to capture the attitudes and perceptions of Greek citizens that shed light on how our relationship with the natural environment is shaped or transformed today, as well as the threats and challenges that are related to climate change. The survey was conducted between August 29 and September 4, 2023, i.e. after a summer in which large-scale fires occurred in Greece, but before the occurrence of the bad weather “Daniel”, which severely affected important areas of the country

The president and managing director of METRON ANALYSIS, Stratos Fanaras, during the “Climate Era” conference held by the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature, emphasized that the climate crisis must be “a high political global priority”

The research shows that the perception of the climate crisis at the global level is high but confused, and is not directly related to the effects and destruction of the natural environment at the national level, while high rates of “climate anxiety” were recorded.

Regarding the perception of climate change in particular, more than 8 in 10 (84%) believe that climate change is actually happening. As the research highlights, what is interesting is that compared to a 2022 survey, this percentage shows a slight decline (from 91%) and correspondingly a small increase in the percentage of those who believe that climate change does not exist (from 9% to 15% ).

Next, a large majority, more than 6 in 10 (63%) of the total population, attribute climate change to human action, while only 8% consider it to be due to natural-environmental factors and 13% attribute it to both.

Regarding feelings towards climate change, it is recorded that almost 8 out of 10, i.e. 79%, express a strong concern (specifically: 43% say that they are worried “a lot” and 36% “quite a bit”), while only 21% say that they are worried ” not so much’ or ‘not at all’. As the research notes, farmers show the highest rates of concern about climate change, as according to the findings in the professional category of farmers, the degree of concern reaches 90%, while the same group is one of those that show higher levels of acceptance of existence of climate change and recognition of its anthropogenic nature.

Also, among other things, the parameter of how high a priority it is considered that dealing with climate change should be for Greece and the Greek government was investigated. Here, 3 in 4 (74%) think it should be “very high” and “high” (30% and 44% respectively), while just 9% rate it as a low priority.

Summarizing, as stated in the conclusions of the research, an unfavorable climate is reflected in the country, which is significantly affected by circumstances linked to the effects of climate change. “In this context, a strong concern emerges regarding the destruction (and therefore the protection) of the natural environment in the country. At the same time, on a global level, the environment and especially climate change are considered the most serious problems facing the planet today.

However, perception at the planetary level does not translate into corresponding sensitivity at the national/local level. In this regard, we find that the perception of the existence of climate change is moving at high levels in Greece, however it is not completely firmly embedded – and in fact there seems to be a relative suspicion both among people with a lower educational level and younger generations, who are considered ” internationalized’, informed and sensitive to post-materialist issues such as the environment – but they are also the most pessimistic about the country’s course. A pattern found in other research findings, along with the issue’s function of political self-positioning.

However, climate change is considered by a strong majority to be anthropogenic (an element that simultaneously indicates the awareness that human-societal action is required to deal with it), relatively increased feelings of concern about its effects and evolution are registered, and it is considered by the largest segment that it should be a high and/or compelling government priority (an element that also indicates a demand for political action to address the climate crisis and its impacts). Regarding the issue of information, it seems that there is a relatively strong demand for more information.

An indication that in the Greek public sphere the discussion and information about climate change is present but not satisfactory. In summary, it seems that in the Greek public opinion there is a relatively increased sensitivity to issues related to the environment and climate change, as well as a perception that its effects must be addressed with conscious individual and collective action”, notes the research of ” Metron Analysis”.