Public opinion survey: water tops climate change as global priority

A public opinion survey [1] finds that people around the world view water issues as the planet’s top environmental problem, greater than air pollution, depletion of natural resources, loss of habitat and even climate change.

The poll surveyed 1,000 people in each of 15 countries, and probed 500 in each of seven countries on specific questions: Canada, China, India, Mexico, Russia, the United Kingdom and USA. Circle of Blue commissioned the poll, which was conducted by GlobeScan and funded by the Molson Coors Brewing Company.

More than 90% of those polled said that access to clean water is fundamental, not only for themselves but for all people. People around the world, but especially in developing countries, view water pollution as the most important facet of the fresh water crisis, followed by shortages of fresh water.

People in Mexico and India were most concerned about water shortages in the farm sector. In India 60 per cent of respondents said they were “very concerned” about the “high cost” of water.

In all seven countries, respondents consistently said that the responsibility for ensuring clean water lay primarily with governments.

[1] GlobeScan/Circle of Blue Report. 28 p. [PDF file]

Related web site: Circle of Blue – Water Views. Includes graphics, a feature story, country profiles, photo stories and videos.

Contact: Circle of Blue, USA, tel.: +1-202-3516870, info@circleofblue.org, http://www.circleofblue.org/

Source: Circle of Blue, 18 Aug 2009

Keywords

• Information and communication
• Water resources management
• Water supply