Public concern for climate change drops amid war and conflict • FRANCE 24 English

Key Concepts

Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.
Climate Change: Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, largely driven by human activities.
Extreme Weather Events: Unusual or severe weather phenomena such as floods, droughts, and wildfires.
Public Concern: The level of worry or attention the general public gives to a particular issue.
Sustainable Sourcing: Obtaining products and materials in a way that minimizes environmental and social impact.
Biodiversity Loss: The decline in the variety of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or the entire Earth.
Deforestation: The clearing or removal of forests or stands of trees.
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC): An international organization that promotes responsible forest management.
Third-Party Verification: An independent assessment of a claim or product by an unbiased entity.
Just Transition: Ensuring that the shift to a sustainable economy is fair and equitable for all, particularly for workers and communities affected by the transition.

Global Climate Action and Public Perception

The UN has indicated that the world is not progressing fast enough in cutting greenhouse gas emissions, despite pledges from governments. A new UN report suggests that if current pledges are met, global greenhouse gas emissions will decrease by 10% over the next decade. However, this is insufficient to prevent the worsening of climate change and extreme weather events.

Shifting Public Priorities

A recent global survey by Ipsos and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) reveals a shift in public concern. While climate change remains a concern, it has taken a backseat to other pressing issues.

Dominant Worries: War and conflict now dominate public worries at 52%.
Climate Change Ranking: Climate change trails at 31%.
Declines in European Economies: Major European economies have seen significant drops in climate change concern compared to 2022:
- France: 7-point drop.
- Germany: 8-point drop.
- UK: 10-point drop.

Reasons for Shifting Concern

Subra Bataraji, Director General of the Forest Stewardship Council, explains that people are not necessarily less concerned about climate change, but rather they are prioritizing multiple crises simultaneously.

Juggling Crises: Individuals are juggling economic concerns, war, terrorism, and health issues, leading to climate change being ranked lower among their top three concerns.
Tangible Impacts: Despite the conceptual distance of climate change, people are concerned about its concrete, day-to-day impacts such as wildfires, flash floods, droughts, and water scarcity. Economic impacts are also a significant concern.
Connecting Climate to Daily Life: Bataraji emphasizes the need to translate climate change into tangible impacts on daily lives and actions.

Consumer Behavior and Sustainable Choices

Despite a cooling in public conversation around climate change, consumer behavior in the marketplace indicates continued environmental consciousness.

Rewarding Sustainability: Consumers are rewarding credible sustainably sourced products and production methods.
"Do No Harm" Products: Seven out of ten French citizens and a global majority choose products that "do no harm."
Behavior Remains Green: Bataraji states, "the conversation might have cooled, but the behavior remains green." This highlights the importance of enabling individuals to make meaningful changes in their daily lives.

Implications for Governments and Policymakers

The survey's findings offer crucial messages for governments and policymakers.

Connecting Long-Term Goals to Near-Term Benefits: Climate action must be linked to tangible, near-term benefits for individuals.
Transparency on Costs: There needs to be transparency regarding the true costs of climate change and climate action.
Just Transition: The transition to a sustainable economy must be just, with benefits and costs fairly distributed.
Connecting to Daily Lives: Climate action benefits and costs must be connected to people's daily lives, including their homes (warmer, safer homes), access to food and water, and air quality.

The State of Forests and Consumer Action

The FSC's focus on forests reveals the significant impact of climate change on global forestry.

Climate Change Impact on Forests: Climate change is having an outsized impact on forests worldwide.
Rise in Deforestation: After declining for over two decades, deforestation has increased in the last two years, primarily due to wildfires driven by climate change.
Consumer Role in Forest Protection: Consumers and producers can contribute by choosing sustainably sourced wood.
Importance of Third-Party Verification: The FSC emphasizes the importance of third-party verified sustainability claims, ensuring responsible forest management.
Benefits of Responsible Forest Management: In countries like Spain and Portugal, responsible forest management has led to fewer wildfires, better forest quality, and improved biodiversity.

Conclusion and Takeaways

The UN's call for accelerated climate action is juxtaposed with a public that, while concerned about climate change, is currently prioritizing immediate crises like war and economic instability. However, consumer behavior in the marketplace demonstrates a persistent demand for sustainable products. This suggests a need for governments and policymakers to:

Communicate differently: Frame climate action in terms of tangible, day-to-day benefits and impacts.
Ensure a just transition: Distribute the costs and benefits of climate action equitably.
Promote sustainable choices: Support and highlight credible sustainable practices, particularly in sectors like forestry, where responsible management can mitigate climate impacts and protect biodiversity.

The underlying message is that while the public conversation may have shifted, the underlying desire for sustainable action remains, offering a pathway for continued progress if effectively communicated and implemented.