An overwhelming number of New Zealanders (91%) are expecting more extreme flooding events to happen more frequently as the world grapples with the growing list of repercussions resulting from climate change.
Around half of respondents (48%) to the latest IAG-Ipsos Climate Change poll released on Monday felt the Government had the greatest responsibility to act against climate change, up from 25% five years ago, but the national response was either not appropriate or hadn’t been fast enough.
Climate Change Minister James Shaw said the results underscored the urgent need for a comprehensive response to the phenomenon, with just 34% of Kiwis deeming Government’s action on the issue as adequate.
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Increasing numbers of New Zealanders expect to see more extreme flooding events on a more frequent basis, the IAG poll results show.
“We need to provide communities with the tools they need to play for the future and for the climate impacts we know we cannot avoid. Some climate impacts are already being experienced by communities all over the country,” Shaw said.
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There was also a clear expectation that both central and local governments were expected to do more to protect people by investing more in things like flood protection measures and building infrastructure.
ROBERT KITCHIN/Stuff
Around half of New Zealanders feel the Government has the greatest responsibility to act against climate change, a new poll shows. (File photo)
Over the past four years, the poll results have shown a 10% growth in those wanting local councils to zone land to reduce and avoid climate change’s impact (now 74%) and consent developments that achieved the same objective (69%), Amanda Whiting, chief executive for insurance companies, NZI, State and AMI said.
“A growing number of people – up to 53% this year – acknowledge that those living in badly affected areas may be required to move, but there are mixed views on who should pay, with the results indicating shared responsibility between [the] Government, local councils, and homeowners,” Whiting said.
Considering the recent spate of fires, flooding and heatwave events globally, Victoria University of Wellington climate scientist Professor James Renwick wasn’t surprised to see a large increase in the numbers of New Zealanders recognising the impact of climate change.
“But beyond the concern, there’s a lot of confusion, and a need for education and clear messages about actions we can all take,” Renwick said.
However, fewer New Zealanders were taking individual action to combat climate change’s effects, despite 78 per cent of people agreeing that it was an important issue for them personally.
In the past year, the number of people prepared to act to reduce the impacts of climate change on themselves personally reduced from 69% to 64%, mirroring a steady decline seen in those already taking steps to reduce climate impacts – dropping 9% over the past two years to 50%.
