Questions on the greenhouse effect and global warming have long been included in the study. They have provided results that indicate that people experience these phenomena as a real threat. As early as the late 80s, Finns tended to see a connection between the weather conditions, which were experienced as exceptional at the time, and air pollution.

3.1. Is climate change true?

Now that there has been discussion about the matter in recent years under the concept of climate change, the same phenomenon has been unambiguously clear. Two out of three (66%) agree that the recent rains, storms, floods and other exceptional weather conditions are an indication of climate change, in other words, pollution has upset the balance of nature. Only about one in seven (14%) dare to disagree. The opinions have remained quite stable since 2000. (The weather phenomena mentioned as examples in the question have been varied in accordance with problems characteristic of the study year; the phenomena have included drought and intense heat, among others.) [Figure 13.]

This way of thinking also emerges in direct connection with energy generation. Three out of four (74%) think that the use of coal and other fossil fuels should be considerably restricted in order to stop the greenhouse effect. The share is slightly greater than in the previous study (69%) and simultaneously (by a narrow margin) the highest in the entire follow-up period (no figure). The change is logically compatible with increased non-acceptance of coal (see Section 1.2.).

In the present study, opinions on climate change were also surveyed as a part of a new series of questions going deeper into the subject. The two meters directly tested belief in how real and serious a phenomenon climate change is. The people's opinions do not leave any considerable room for interpretation. The thesis of some - constantly fewer and fewer - dissidents within the academic community which states that talk about climate change is not true or is, at the least, exaggerated, receives more rejection (50%) than acceptance (31%). As many as three in four (74%) are in favour of the opposite argument stating that climate change is a real and serious threat requiring efficient measures. No more than approximately one in ten (9%) disagrees with this claim. (The results are included in Figure 15 presented in connection with the next Section 3.2.)

Unusually great variation within the population is observed particularly with regard to attitudes towards the former statement that underrate the threat. The claim of "not true" receives above-average acceptance among men, older people and less educated people, among others. On the other hand, climate change is a fairly undoubted fact particularly among young people, students and supporters of the Greens. In regional comparison, climate change is gradually 'realised' when moving from the north to the south [Figure 14.].