Public concern about Climate Change drops 14-points since last year. Why?
From September 19 to 25, 2024, Abacus Data conducted a national survey of 1,701 Canadian adults (18+) to examine their perspectives on climate change and their priorities in the context of pressing immediate challenges, such as the cost of living and housing affordability. Results reveal a significant focus on short-term relief, with many Canadians prioritizing immediate socioeconomic issues over long-term climate action, while also shedding light on the political implications of these perceptions, emphasizing the critical role leaders play in navigating the intersection of immediate concerns and environmental sustainability.
Shifting Priorities Amid Immediate Challenges
62% of Canadians are concerned about climate change and its potential impact on our future, while only 13% indicated that they are entirely unconcerned. Liberal (76%) and NDP (74%) supporters are the most concerned with climate change, while just 49% of Conservative Party supporters share similar concerns. Further, nearly 1 in 4 Conservative supporters indicate that they are not at all concerned with climate change and its potential impact on our future (22%).
Notably, concern about climate change has decreased 14 points since October 2023, which revealed that 76% of Canadians were worried about this issue.
In exploring the reasons behind this decrease in concern, the data reveal that 72% of Canadians prioritize immediate issues over climate change, with only 5% placing a greater emphasis on environmental matters. Among those focused on immediate concerns, 82% who intend to vote Conservative Party hold this view, compared to 57% for Liberal and 65% for NDP supporters. Interestingly, Liberal supporters are more likely to recognize the importance of both climate change and issues related to the cost of living and housing equality, with 32% prioritizing both compared to just 15% of Conservative voters.
This decline in concern regarding climate change, coupled with the majority of Canadians focusing on immediate challenges, suggests that while climate change remains important for many, Canadians are increasingly preoccupied with pressing issues such as the cost of living and housing affordability and a scarcity mindset is framing their priorities at the moment. As these urgent matters demand immediate attention, individuals are shifting their focus toward short-term relief rather than long-term solutions like climate action.
Divided Opinions: Balancing Economic Growth and Climate Action
When considering what approach government should take, 55% of Canadians believe the government should strive for a balance between economic growth and climate action. This sentiment is particularly strong among Liberal (65%) and NDP (63%) supporters, while only 44% of Conservative supporters share this view. In contrast, a significant 41% of Conservative supporters advocate for prioritizing immediate economic growth, even if it necessitates postponing climate action. This highlights a clear divide in priorities among different political affiliations regarding the relationship between economic development and environmental responsibility.
62% of Canadians believe it is possible to address immediate issues while also tackling climate change, reflecting a growing recognition that these priorities can be pursued simultaneously. This perspective is particularly strong among Liberal (77%) and NDP (70%) supporters, indicating a strong commitment to balancing urgent needs with long-term environmental goals. In contrast, only 54% of Conservative supporters share this belief, highlighting differing attitudes across political affiliations regarding the integration of immediate concerns with climate action. This divergence suggests that many Canadians are optimistic about finding solutions that can effectively address both current challenges and the imperative of climate change.
Public Confidence and Expectations in Climate Leadership
38% of Canadians consider it important for the party they support to have a robust plan for addressing climate change. This sentiment is especially strong among Liberal (55%) and NDP (51%) supporters, while only 24% of Conservative Party voters feel the same way. Notably, 20% of Canadians intending to vote for the Conservative Party indicate that climate change is not a significant factor in their voting decision. This highlights a clear divide in priorities regarding climate action among political affiliations.
When Canadians were asked who they believe is best equipped to tackle climate change and promote the growth of Canada’s clean economy, Pierre Poilievre emerged as the preferred choice for 30% of respondents. This indicates that many Canadians now view him as a capable leader on these critical issues. In contrast, only 17% of Canadians believe that Justin Trudeau is the right person for the job. This is particularly striking given that Trudeau has historically been known for his strong stance on climate action and environmental policies. His current standing reflects a noticeable decline in public confidence regarding his climate initiatives. Additionally, just 13% of respondents think Jagmeet Singh is best suited to handle these challenges.
Interestingly, on October 12, 2023, we released a report that asked Canadians who they thought was better able to deal with several issues. In this, 37% of Canadians noted that Justin Trudeau was better able to take action to deal with climate change compared to 30% who noted they believed it was Pierre Poilievre (32% didn’t know who was best at the time).
With 30% of Canadians believing that Pierre Poilievre is the leader best equipped to address climate change while also promoting the growth of Canada’s clean economy, it is essential to examine what Canadians expect him to do in this area. Notably, 79% of Canadians feel that if elected, Poilievre should take climate change seriously. This sentiment is particularly strong among Liberal (89%) and NDP (89%) supporters, showcasing a cross-party consensus on the importance of climate action. Even among Conservative supporters, 71% believe that Poilievre should prioritize addressing climate change.
However, a significant gap emerges when it comes to expectations versus beliefs: only 34% of Canadians are confident that Poilievre will take climate change seriously if elected. Among Conservative supporters, this belief is more prevalent, with 55% expressing confidence in his commitment to climate action. In stark contrast, just 25% of Liberal supporters and 20% of NDP supporters share this view. This discrepancy underscores varying levels of trust in Poilievre’s climate priorities across political affiliations, highlighting the challenge he faces in aligning public expectations with perceptions of his willingness to take meaningful climate action.
THE UPSHOT
In 2024, Canadians have witnessed several extreme weather events, notably the Jasper wildfire, severe flooding in southern Ontario and Quebec, and a major hailstorm in Calgary, to mention a few. Despite these events, we have witnessed a significant decline in concerns surrounding climate change and its impacts across Canada. The decline in concern over climate change raises important questions about whether Canadians are becoming desensitized to the threats posed by extreme weather events, or if the current focus on cost of living is simply overshadowing environmental concerns.
Recent shifts in public opinion indicate that more Canadians now view Pierre Poilievre as the leader best equipped to address climate change and grow Canada’s a clean economy, though skepticism about his commitment to climate action remains among many Canadians (including his supporters). As many Canadians still express concern about climate change, Conservatives cannot afford to ignore this issue. To build trust among their voter base, and Canadians in general, Poilievre must bridge the gap between public expectations and political commitments, especially as public sentiment increasingly reflects the interconnectedness of economic and environmental issues.
Climate change remains one of the most politically divisive issues in Canada, particularly in terms of its salience and urgency. Advocates for climate action need to find ways to effectively link climate issues to pressing concerns like the cost of living and safety, particularly for Conservative voters, as these are issues that are far more pressing for many Canadians. It’s important for Conservatives to recognize climate change as a real issue impacting Canada today, as neglecting it could become a vulnerability, particularly if short-term worries about costs begin to lessen.
METHODOLOGY
The survey was conducted with 1,701 Canadian adults from September 19 to 25, 2024. A random sample of panelists were invited to complete the survey from a set of partner panels based on the Lucid exchange platform. These partners are typically double opt-in survey panels, blended to manage out potential skews in the data from a single source.
The margin of error for a comparable probability-based random sample of the same size is +/- 2.38 %, 19 times out of 20.
The data were weighted according to census data to ensure that the sample matched Canada’s population according to age, gender, educational attainment, and region.
This survey was paid for by Abacus Data Inc.
Abacus Data follows the CRIC Public Opinion Research Standards and Disclosure Requirements that can be found here: https://canadianresearchinsightscouncil.ca/standards/
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