Survey reveals global anxieties towards climate change and potential disaster

Plastic Free July is a timely reminder of the impact our consumption habits can have on the environment. This year, a YouGov survey of over 17,000 respondents across 16 markets paints a concerning picture of global anxieties around climate change.

The survey reveals that most people believe our current habits are unsustainable. Here are some key findings:

• Across all 16 markets surveyed, 74% of respondents agreed that we are headed for a climate disaster unless we change our habits. Only 19% disagreed.
• Indonesia, Singapore, and India showed the highest levels of concern, with 89%, 86%, and 85% of respondents respectively agreeing that climate disaster is looming.
• The United States falls below the global average, with 57% of respondents agreeing and 31% disagreeing. Notably, respondents in the US (12%) were the second most likely behind Poland (13%) to say they were not sure what to think.

The YouGov survey also explored people’s belief in the ability of sustainable practices in preventing an environmental crisis. The data shows a positive outlook, with all countries surveyed more likely to agree than disagree that sustainable practices can make a difference.

• Two in three global respondents agreed that adopting sustainable practices can prevent an environmental crisis.
• India topped the list at 85% agreement, followed closely by Indonesia (84%) and Singapore (83%).
• The percentage of people who disagree ranges from 9% (Indonesia) to around a quarter in countries such the US (24%), Germany (25%), and Sweden (25%).

With the Plastic Free July challenge fully underway, many participants will be making efforts to reduce their consumption of single-use plastic waste at home and away from home. An earlier survey conducted by YouGov shows that 43% of global consumers intend to reduce single-use plastic consumption this year, a sentiment led by respondents in Hong Kong (61%) in Asia and Italians (50%) in Europe. Americans (28%) were the least likely across all markets to say they adopt this eco-conscious behavior in 2024.

Methodology: YouGov Surveys: Serviced provide quick survey results from
nationally representative or targeted audiences in multiple markets. The data is based on surveys of adults aged 18+ years in 17 markets with sample sizes varying between 503 and 2004 for each market. All surveys were conducted online in April 2024. Data from each market uses a nationally representative sample apart from Mexico and India, which use ur ban representative samples, and Indonesia and Hong Kong, which use online representative samples. Learn more about YouGov Surveys: Serviced.