Irish people are increasingly aware of climate change and three out of four say they are actively trying to fight it. We rank climate change as the most important challenge facing the world, after the economic crisis and poverty/hunger. We are well above the EU average but still a good way behind the Swedes who are the most active on climate change.

Two-thirds of Irish people consider themselves to be well informed about the different causes of climate change and the ways in which we can fight climate change (that’s up from 59% since Spring 2008). We score a good deal higher than the EU average 52%, but the Swedes have the highest score (76%). 

An impressive three out of four Irish people say they’re taking personal action to help fight climate change. This makes the Irish among most active nations in combating climate change in this way, after Sweden (82%), UK and Slovenia (both at 77%).

Irish people rank climate change as the third most serious issue facing the world at the moment (58%) - after a major economic downturn (67%) and poverty, lack of food and drinking water (59%).

This study was carried out by Eurobarometer based on interviews with approximately 27,000 European Citizens in January and February 2009.
 

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To find out more about what Ireland and the EU are doing to tackle environmental issues go to the climate change section on the website.