6 March 2007China View
The overwhelming majority of European Union (EU) citizens are concerned about climate change, according to a survey whose results were released on Monday.
According to the Euro barometer survey done on behalf of the European Commission, half of EU citizens are very much concerned about the effects of climate change and global warming, while a further 37 percent say that they are to some degree concerned about the issue.
Eight out of 10 Europeans are well aware of the impact of energy production and consumption on climate change and global warming. Sixty-two percent feel that the best way to tackle energy-related issues would be at EU level.
"This survey clearly shows that EU citizens expect the EU to shape a common European response to face energy and climate change challenges," said European Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs.
EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said: "Climate change is happening. EU citizens expect EU leadership on this issue. The EU must use this political momentum in order to put Europe and the World on the path to a more energy secure and low carbon future."
The survey shows that EU citizens are fairly certain that energy prices will increase significantly over the next decade due to ongoing climate change. Seventy-six percent feel that they will need to change their energy consumption habits in the next decade.
