New statistics from the Office for National Statistics shows that the public is increasingly feeling the effects of climate change – and in response, most adults are changing their behaviour to help tackle environmental issues.
More than 77% of issues said they have made changes to their lifestyle in order to help tackle environmental issues, from paper straws to EVs. Amongst those reported, waste reduction has seen the biggest action taken, at 80%.
However, the public’s perception of actions that can (or need) to be taken are largely skewed towards the barriers between them and action. 43% of those surveyed said cost is a barrier for them, while another 37% said they believed large polluters should change before the pressure is put onto individuals to fix the planet.
Diane Crowe, Group Sustainability Director at Reconomy, the international circular economy specialist, commented: “The fact that nearly a third of those who haven’t changed their behaviour believe large polluters should act first is also a reminder that responsibility is shared.
“A circular economy only works if producers, retailers, local authorities, waste and recycling companies and consumers are all pulling in the same direction. Industry needs to show that it is doing its part and make it as easy as possible for people to do theirs.”
Overall, 85% of adults said they had been impacted by climate change over the past 12 months, a staggering increase from 66% just two years ago.
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