Two-thirds of Britons want faster action on climate, poll finds

(The Guardian, 19 Jun 2019) Research suggests support for urgent measures to tackle crisis is becoming mainstream.

Nearly 70% of British people want urgent political action to tackle climate change and protect the natural environment, according to research by a coalition of green charities.

Theresa May, in one of her last acts as prime minister, has enshrined in law a commitment to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050, making Britain the first large economy to do so.

But two-thirds of people who were questioned by researchers for Greener UK and the Climate Coalition believe Britain needs to cut its carbon emissions to zero far faster.

The survey suggests demand for action to tackle the climate crisis is becoming part of a mainstream view. Of the 2,000 people surveyed, 71% said they wanted their MP to support ambitious plans to protect the natural environment and tackle climate change, and a majority wanted to see strong new environmental laws.

The Climate Coalition and Greener UK consists of more than 130 organisations including the Women’s Institute (WI), NGOs such as Cafod, Oxfam, WWF and Tearfund, as well as the National Trust, Mumsnet and the National Union of Students. They are lobbying parliament next week to say “The time is now” for action.

Organisers say more than 14,000 people from all over the country intend to come to Westminster to demand urgent action in a rally on Wednesday 26 June.

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The Guardian, 19 Jun 2019: Two-thirds of Britons want faster action on climate, poll finds