Almost Half of Australians Unhappy with Government’s Climate Change Efforts, Strong Majority Support Polluter Tax
According to a recent survey conducted by think tank The Australia Institute, almost half of Australians believe that the federal government is not doing enough to combat climate change and prepare for its impacts. The survey, titled Climate of the Nation 2023, revealed that 47 percent of voters expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s efforts, while only 26 percent believed that they were doing enough.
Even among supporters of the governing Labor Party, a majority of 52 percent expressed the view that the government should be taking stronger action to address the impacts of climate-related extreme events. These findings indicate a growing concern among Australians regarding the government’s approach to climate change.
The survey also highlighted a decline in overall concern over climate change compared to previous years. Of the respondents, 71 percent stated that they were either fairly or very concerned about climate change, a decrease from 75 percent in 2022. Similarly, 77 percent believed that climate change is occurring, down from 80 percent in 2022. Additionally, there was a decrease in the proportion of respondents who believed that climate change was causing the polar ice caps to melt, falling from 54 percent in 2022 to 46 percent in 2023.
Notably, the survey revealed strong support for measures to hold businesses accountable for their greenhouse gas emissions. A significant majority of 74 percent of participants said they would back the government’s introduction of a polluter pays tax on businesses based on their emissions. Furthermore, 59 percent supported a levy on fossil fuel exports to fund climate adaptation measures. These findings demonstrate that Australians want those responsible for contributing to the climate crisis to bear the financial burden of their actions.
Polly Hemming, the Climate and Energy Program Director at The Australia Institute, highlighted the significance of these results, stating, Australians want those who are profiting from the climate crisis to pay for the damage they are causing… a strong majority of Australians want more ambitious climate action. Hemming’s remarks reflect the sentiment echoed by survey participants who are calling for greater efforts to address the challenge of climate change.
In conclusion, the Climate of the Nation 2023 survey reveals that almost half of Australians are not satisfied with the government’s response to climate change. There is a growing demand for stronger action to prepare for and adapt to the impacts of climate-related events. Additionally, the survey demonstrates overwhelming support for implementing a polluter pays tax and a levy on fossil fuel exports to promote climate adaptation measures. These findings reflect the desire among Australians for more ambitious climate action to tackle the challenges posed by climate change.
