Only two in five British voters believe that climate change is real

In an article in the Telegraph dated 2 August 2011, only two in five British voters believe that climate change is real and is caused by human activity, according to a poll.

Around a quarter of those questioned (28 per cent) by pollsters ‘Populus’ for The Times agreed that climate change is "far and away" the most serious problem facing Britain, while a further 51 per cent said it was a serious problem, but not as serious as other issues.

Some 41 per cent of those taking part in today's poll agreed that it has been established that climate change is largely due to human activity. Around a third (32%) agreed that global warming is happening, but said it had not yet been proven to be man-made.

The poll showed an increase in support for new air travel taxes to cut carbon emissions, with 57 per cent in favour and 40 per cent against, compared to a 50 per cent to 46 per cent split in a similar poll in 2006.

There was opposition to increases in the overall cost of motoring on environmental grounds, by a margin of 53 per cent to 44 per cent. But a large majority - 68 per cent against 29 per cent - said that much higher taxes should be imposed on gas-guzzling vehicles.

A very large majority - 87 per cent to 11 per cent - supported new building regulations to require high standards of insulation and use of renewable energy, even if it increases the cost of homes.

‘Populus’ interviewed 1,504 adults by telephone between November 6 and 8