Poll suggests government missing green opportunities
A new survey conducted by McAllister Opinion Research sends a clear signal that governments everywhere need to work more in concert with business decision makers, scientists and internal departments to take more positive changes to address climate change. The results of the survey portray that a serious disconnect is occurring between actions taken and suggestions being made.
In short over 75% of surveyed leaders in science and industry plus bureaucrats think that the government are making significant errors in moving the economy in the ideal ‘green’ direction and not making the best decisions in addressing climate change. More than 5,100 were surveyed by McAllister; the individuals questioned hold key positions in both business and studies. There’s nothing to suggest the results are unique to Canada and the report is concerning. Some 77% rated Canada’s efforts at addressing climate change as poor or very poor, meanwhile almost the same number 75% had the same response when asked about the nation’s progress in developing a green economy.
The questions on the survey were broad in scope and the results help us determine some key areas where ‘experts’ feel the wrong options are being pursued. Some of the most notable findings were as follows:
- 60% feel increased energy efficiency has high potential to drive a sustainable future
- Only 7% feel carbon capture and storage will be a viable piece of a sustainable future
- 57% feel reinventing transit systems will greatly help to green the economy
- 55% feel development of wind and solar renewable energy would be key
- Just 17% feel that nuclear energy is part of a greener future
Many of these sentiments fall in direct contrast with recent government choices. While over $1 billion has been granted for carbon capture programs these costs have been offset by canceling some home improvement programs and the cessation in promoting new wind power development. Analysts wonder if some of those taking part in the survey have a specific axe to grind if they were directly or indirectly involved in projects that have fallen in popularity or been cut. While that is a logical concern it doesn’t account for the overall trend of the report.
The survey was completed in Q1 2010 and consisted of respondents from Canada (87%) , the US (9%) and Europe (4%). The 5,100 respondents answered online questions and represented experience in industrial development, energy, finance, food, agriculture, health, engineering, environment, and infrastructure. Civil servants and university staff were also well represented.
The overall findings show that governments could potentially make decisions that better represent the electorate by tabling ideas from some of the voices considered to be authorities within education and industry. While these are new concepts for most governments I do believe that national direction in terms of the environment should be a partnered approach with scientists and industry experts.
The full survey is available via McAllister Opinion Research, portions of this article were researched with the assistance of the Montreal Gazette
” More than 5,100 were surveyed by McAllister; the individuals questioned hold key positions in both business and studies.”
Key positions in business and studies. Aha! Too bad, you gave away the left bias. The business guys were arguably lefties and the studies guys were without question lefties. You know, every time the greens come out with a new poll, they always leave themselves open to criticisms of left bias. You have no credibility anymore. Climate change is dead, get your collective heads out of the sand.
Thanks for your comments Klem. I didn’t write the report but I’m sure McAllister can provide more details as to whom was interviewed for the poll. Perhaps you should survey those who participated in the poll about your ‘leftie’ theory? We’ll have to disagree about climate change, moreover if you’re wrong then there would be no time to fuse a remedy.