Global Citizens Demand Bolder Climate Action: New Survey

According to a new report released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), people all over the world are becoming increasingly concerned about climate change and want their governments to take bolder action to combat it. The report, titled "Peoples' Climate Vote 2024," is the world's largest public opinion survey on climate change, polling 77 countries and 87 percent of the global population.

The survey discovered that a majority of people (53 percent) are more concerned about climate change than they were a year ago, and 80 percent want their governments to strengthen their commitments to address the crisis. This sentiment is especially strong in developing countries, where people are already seeing the devastating effects of climate change.

"The People's Climate Vote is loud and clear," stated Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator.

"Global citizens want their leaders to put aside their differences, act now, and act boldly to combat the climate crisis.

According to the report, people are concerned about how climate change will affect their daily lives. The majority (69 percent) stated that climate change has influenced major decisions for their family, such as where to live or work, or what to purchase. Nearly half (43 percent) of respondents reported that extreme weather events in their community have been worse than usual this year.

Despite these concerns, the report found that people remain optimistic that the world can still address climate change. A majority (86 percent) believe that countries should collaborate on climate change, even if they disagree on other issues. In addition, a large majority (79 percent) agreed that rich countries should provide more assistance to poorer countries in dealing with the crisis. 

"The survey results, which are unprecedented in their scope, reveal an astonishing level of consensus," said Steiner. "We urge leaders and policymakers to take note, particularly as countries prepare their next round of climate action pledges."

The key findings of the report include:

• The majority of people (53 percent) are more concerned about climate change than they were one year ago.
• 80 percent of people want their governments to make stronger commitments to combat climate change.
• 69 percent of people say climate change has influenced major decisions for their families.
• Almost half (43 percent) of people believe that extreme weather events have been worse than usual in their community this year.
• 86 percent of people believe that countries should cooperate on climate change, even if they disagree on other issues.
• 79 percent of people believe that rich countries should provide more assistance to poorer countries in addressing climate change.

The People's Climate Vote 2024 is a wake-up call to global leaders. It demonstrates that people all over the world are demanding stronger action on climate change, and they are willing to back their governments in taking bold steps to address the crisis.