Recent polling conducted by the Angus Reid Institute revealed a significant increase in the number of Canadians prioritizing action on climate change. According to the data, 21% of respondents chose the environment and climate change as one of their top concerns in July, marking a 50% surge from March. The survey further highlighted that 25% of Canadians aged 18 to 34, 23% aged 35 to 55, and 16% over 55 identified climate change as a top issue.
Shachi Kurl, the president of the Angus Reid Institute, noted that the heightened interest in climate change, particularly among younger Canadians, reflects a trend seen in previous studies. However, she emphasized that the most significant takeaway from the latest findings is the consistent rise in concern across all age demographics.
Concurrently, another poll by Abacus Data echoed similar results, with 18% of participants selecting environment and climate change as a top priority, marking a three-point increase within two weeks. Abacus Data’s CEO, David Coletto, described this uptick as a notable shift, indicating a growing prominence of the climate change issue amid other pressing concerns like political developments and economic factors.
The backdrop of ongoing wildfires across Canada during the polling period, notably in regions such as British Columbia and northwestern Ontario, further intensified public attention on climate change. Coletto highlighted that the prevalence of wildfires in the news cycle, along with their tangible impacts such as smoke pollution and global extreme weather events, has significantly elevated the urgency of addressing environmental issues.
Looking ahead, experts like Keith Brooks, the programs director of Environmental Defence, expressed hopes for the resurgence of environmental concerns to evolve into a sustained movement rather than a fleeting moment of heightened awareness. Brooks emphasized the need for continued public engagement and governmental action to tackle the climate crisis effectively, highlighting that climate change remains a critical issue that demands serious attention and policy interventions.
