In Australia, 89% of residents believe climate change is happening. 43% believe climate change is caused entirely or mostly by human activities. A further 9% of residents believe climate change is caused entirely or mostly by natural causes.
Among those that believe in climate change, 49% indicated that their local area is currently feeling the effects of climate change and a further 36% expected their local area to feel the effects within their lifetime. Of those, 5% were very confident that their local area would be able to adapt to the effects of climate change and a further 35% somewhat confident. 54% were not confident.
Among the group of residents that felt their local area is currently feeling, or will feel, the effects of climate change in their lifetime, the top local area climate-related events were: Extreme heat (74%), Storms (53%) and Bushfires (50%). The top actions residents felt should be taken to address the effects of climate change in their local area were: Protect and enhance local biodiversity (60%), Educate residents on how to live more sustainably (53%) and Reduce pollution of the environment (51%).
Among those that believe in climate change, 47% indicated that they themselves are currently feeling the effects of climate change and a further 37% expected to within their lifetime. Of those, 8% were very confident that they would be able to adapt to the effects of climate change and a further 52% somewhat confident. 36% were not confident.
Among the group of residents that felt they are currently feeling, or will feel, the effects of climate change in their lifetime, the top personal impacts were: Increased household running costs (77%), Food production, making it harder and more expensive to get food items (61%) and My ability to leave my home due to weather (46%). 49% feel climate change will reduce their quality of life somewhat, and a further 22% feel it will reduce their quality of life a lot.
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