Will the PM actually listen to the public for once and oppose any measures to deal with "climate change"?

Question

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6263690.stm

The above poll shows most of the public are skeptical of climate change and believe graffiti and dog mess are of more concern.

WHEN WILL A POLITICIAN ACTUALLY LISTEN TO THE BRITISH PEOPLE?

Bob below is referring to a completely different poll. This MORI poll is highly reputable.

Answer 1

The "majority" of people are all in favor of a solution to global warming as long as it's someone else who has to make the sacrifices. If the majority of people actually believed in the dangers of global warming, then we would already be half-way to a "solution". Manufacturers don't simply pump out product if no one is there to buy it. The energy industry only produces the amount people choose to consume.

Folks scramble for a government solution to make "big business" produce the same amount of energy and material goods with lower energy consumption, but never quite get the fact that consumers actually call the shots.

Unfortunately, as far as politicians go, fear is an important commodity. Irrational fear is invaluable.

Answer 2

SOME CORRECTIONS...
1) The people do want measures to deal with climate change
2) They do want to government to take action
3) The public are not skeptical of climate change
4) They are not more concerned about graffiti and dog mess
5) If politicians listened to the British people they'd be taking more action

The BBC are usually pretty reliable but in this case the news report is extremely distorted. I have the full MORI poll in front of me, the findings bear no resemblence to those reported by the BBC. So for clarification here are the real figures...

● 1% of the population do not beleive the climate is changing. Of the 99% that do, 9% beleive it's mainly natural, the overwhelming majority (87%) think humans are contributing or are the primary cause.

● The question concerning grafitti and dog mess was one that was asked only of people living in Leicester. The question was asked in relation to the local environment. When the question was posed nationally and people were asked to name the global issue of most importance it was global warming that topped the list.

● Contrary to your question, there is strong support for the government taking action. The following question was asked "How strongly do you agree or disagree that the government should take the lead in combating climate change, even if it means using the law to change people's behaviour" only 7% of respondents strongly disagreed, 10% tended to disagree, 43% agreed and 27% strongle agreed

The report is not available online as far as I'm aware but if you wish to see a copy I'll e-mail it to you. It's a long report and you'll need a mailbox capable of receiving 4Mb sized files.

Answer 3

the government will keep harping on about climate change because there is now big money in it - it's the same for some research establishments - they get more funding for research if it's connected to global warming - the scientists on the documentary the great global warming scam or scandal had several of our top scientists stating categorically that we are not to blame for global warming since most of the co2 comes from the ocean and forests - this is nature there is nothing we can do about it. the human race produces far too much waste and all the recycling stuff can only improve this but we are not the cause of global warming - the latest one of heard about is global dimming - it's complicated so look it up on the web but thats not our fault either.

however i think we have much bigger problems than graffiti and dog poo - but that's for another debate


the government - any government is never going to listen the the people - it's not in their interest .

Answer 4

you have to see the full picture .we all know the answer.how many of us would actully give up their cars their livelyhoods their ability to pay the mortgages the credit brokers get the kids to school ,abig percentage of people around the globe would be jobless by the time we worked out how to save the planet ,there wont be any oil the sea levels would have risen ,its easy to make a difference to the planet from the comfort of an arm,chair. and a priveleged life style.or cycle afew miles to your air conditioned office.the answer is NEVER!unless we the people of the people for the people by the people sign the biggest list of a petition ever take it up to our respective governments senates and make them do something.

Answer 5

The "poll" you cite was not a poll at all. See the Source below.

It was an online survey of people who visited a certain publishers website. It has no validity and, any hacker worthy of the name could make it say anything he wanted.

It wasn't even a real survey. It was a pitch to sell a brochure on global warming. The brochure isn't bad, though. It sets out the scientific proof that global warming is real and mostly man made.

Real polls (some cited above) consistently say that the majority of the British people think global warming is a serious problem that requires action.

Answer 6

Your source article actually is emphatically surprised that so many people can ignore the scientific community evidence of the facts of global warming.
Being uninformed about any significant issue, tragic consequences are guaranteed. The majority of people are too busy keeping their bills paid, crime away from the door, or getting there from here. Open minds, open eyes; open hearts. Get some information about CO2 emissions and the increasing atmospheric percentage, try to become informed. Please stop testing for 'proof of witches.'

Answer 7

Its funny, all of us are hoping Al Gore and others are wrong about climate change. Those of us who believe it might be true would rather that it not be, and you guys who don't believe in it don't want it to be true either. We agree on that at least. But if the scientific data is right and global warming actually is happening, why would you want a politician to ignore that? Even if the majority wanted him to? Wouldn't you want your political leaders to do whats right, regardless of how the public felt? Suppose for example that a majority wanted to start up a war with...lets say...Iran, but your political leaders knew it would be national suicide to do that. You wouldn't want them following the public will on that, would you?

Answer 8

On the contrary we need STRONGER legislation to combat climate change. Take your head out of the sand and look at what is happening!

90% of the world' s top scientist say that our use of fossil fuels are causing global warming and we only have a short time to take action to prevent worse disasters.

We (UK) were the first country to industrialise and we must lead the way. We cannot expect China and India to act on this unless we do. Also the US MUST commit to stringent measures to reduce emissions.

I want a sustainable planet for my children and future grandchildren. Don't you?

Boudicca UK

Answer 9

I think the scientists world wide are better informed than either the British public or the politicians. Global warming is a fact (universally acknowledged) and it is the speed of the warming that is attributable to man.

Answer 10

When did ANY politician listen to the public on any subject