3.1. Climate change

Questions on the greenhouse effect and global warming have repeatedly provided results that indicate that people experience these phenomena as a real threat that has a connection to environmental pollution. As early as the late 1980s, Finns tended to see a connection between air pollution and weather conditions that were experienced as exceptional at the time. 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.

Three out of four (74%) now agree that the recent drought, heat, storms and other exceptional weather conditions¹ are an indication of climate change - in other words, pollution has upset the balance of nature. Only about one in ten (9%) dare to disagree. Even though like-mindedness has prevailed here before, when examined together with the result of the previous survey, the result indicates a clear difference to earlier ones. It may be supposed that the visibility of new proof in the media has further convinced the population. This proof includes the dramatic news on destruction caused by natural catastrophes. (The figures of the previous survey were lifted by the hurricane Katrina battering New Orleans a little earlier). Also personal observations on people cutting the grass in December and ice-fishing from the pier in the absence of ice probably have an increasing effect on the public opinion [Figure 14.].

This way of thinking also emerges in direct connection with energy generation. Three out of four (71%) think that the use of coal and other fossil fuels should be considerably restricted in order to stop the greenhouse effect. The demand has had extensive support for a long time (not included in the figure).

In the current survey, the questions relating to this theme were complemented with a new thesis, formulated as clearly as possible. The purpose was to test how extreme an argument relating to the climate can be and still be approved. The reactions to the statement 'Climate change is a real and extremely serious threat that the entire world should begin to fight off immediately and with all possible means' show that there is no such limit. Forming a statement as a cry for help does not diminish its acceptance. A great majority (86%) agree, only a marginal minority (4%) disagree. This is the most unanimous opinion in the entire extensive research material. Differences by demographic group - the almost entire lack of them - shows how the concern for climate is uniting the whole of society at the moment [Figure 15.].

Earlier research information should also be referred to in connection with the examination. Two years ago (2004) an extensive series of questions was used to measure conceptions of climate change and the Kyoto protocol. The questions tested belief in the genuineness of the phenomenon. In 2004, as many as three in four agreed with the view stating that climate change is a real threat requiring efficient measures. The opposite claim stating that talk about climate change is not true or is at the least exaggerated received more rejection than acceptance.

The 'all possible means' principle does not, however, seem to cover all measures to decrease emissions. This is shown by another new statement measuring attitudes toward emission trade. The thesis 'EU countries should not continue with emission trade if more countries don't commit to it in the future (such as the United States and major developing countries)' receives clearly more defenders (51%) than opposers (21%). The contradiction is at least partially explained by poor knowledge of what emission trade really is. In addition to uncertainty of the concepts, the answers show distrust. The result mentioned above should not therefore be interpreted as direct proof of national or EU-centred selfishness. The result from two years ago also supports this. If the attitude toward the forerunner position of the EU and the willingness to make sacrifices is measured with statements mentioning reduction of emissions instead of emission trade, the opinions are different. Also other fresh research results on attitudes relating to climate change indicate the same phenomenon².

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