Sydney, Oct 12: The 2023 edition of the Epson Climate Reality Barometer has undergone significant expansion, encompassing over 30,000 respondents across 39 global markets, a substantial increase from the 26,000 participants in 2022.
Notably, this year’s report delves into the attitudes of the “COP Generation” – those born since the inaugural COP conference in 1995.
The findings for Australia in the 2023 Epson Climate Reality Barometer are quite noteworthy, with some revelations more disconcerting than others.
Recent statements by UN scientific advisors have underscored the persistent peril faced by the Great Barrier Reef due to global warming and water contamination.
Additionally, long-term forecasts for Australia and Tasmania include heightened instances of extreme weather conditions, increased droughts in southern Australia, more severe fire-prone conditions in the south and east, and expectations of increased winter rainfall in Tasmania, as projected by CSIRO.
The key takeaway from the 2023 Epson Climate Reality Barometer in Australia is that the primary global concern reported by respondents is rising prices, with a substantial 73.9 percent voicing this apprehension.
Climate change follows but with a significant gap at 44.8 percent, and poverty ranks high at 42.2 percent.
Notably, the “COP Generation” in Australia, individuals aged 29 and under, display slightly higher concern about climate change compared to those aged 30 and above, with 47.2 percent versus 44 percent respectively listing it as a major global issue.
The report also reveals a modest increase in optimism among Australians regarding averting a climate disaster in their lifetime, rising from 37.4 percent in the 2022 Barometer to 39.4 percent in this year’s findings.
When asked about the actions they expect companies to take in the fight against climate change, respondents in Australia highlight the importance of “improving recycling and reusing products” at 44 percent, followed by “investing in environmental technologies” at 40.5 percent.
Notably, 33.1 percent of Australians have already reduced their international travel for both business and leisure, with an additional 20.4 percent planning to do so in the future.
In terms of emotional responses to climate change, “hopeful” emerges as the predominant sentiment at 27.3 percent, followed closely by “concerned” at 26.8 percent and “anxious” at 23.9 percent.
Encouragingly, many individuals are already taking proactive measures to address the climate emergency.
The top three actions reported by Australians include increased use of reusable goods (80.6 percent), improved recycling habits (74.4 percent), and reduced plastic consumption (71.1 percent).
Looking ahead, the top three actions that Australian consumers plan to undertake involve switching to renewable energy (49.6 percent), transitioning to electric vehicles (43.9 percent), and adopting more sustainable products (42.6 percent).
The majority of people in Australia believe that the most vital steps companies can take in the fight against climate change are centered around enhancing recycling and product reuse (44 percent), investing in environmental technologies (40.5 percent), and reducing natural resource consumption in production and transportation, including water and fossil fuels (31.5 percent).
The Epson Climate Reality Barometer underscores the importance of what comes next in the global response to climate change.
Epson takes an active stance in addressing climate change and emphasizes the significance of collaborative efforts at all levels – individual, community, organizational, technological, governmental, and regional.
The report reflects the acknowledgment of climate change as a paramount challenge of our era and calls for optimism in action without complacency.
Working together, Epson believes that a better future can be built for all.
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