- Over eight-in ten Atlantic Canadians are concerned about climate change and believe that urgent action is needed.
- Only a third of residents trust that their provincial government will implement the appropriate plans to meet emission reduction goals.
January 20th, 2022
Climate change remains a concern for the majority of Atlantic Canadians (86% agree to some extent). Additionally, most also agree that urgent action is needed to address climate change (82%). However, Atlantic Canadians do not generally believe their provincial government will address climate change. When asked about trust in their provincial government to implement plans to meet emission reduction goals, only about a third agree (36%), and agreement is weak with only 7% strongly agreeing.
Differences are evident across provinces, where New Brunswick residents are least likely to trust their government’s actions on climate change (30% express trust), whereas those in PEI are more confident (44%).
Taking a closer look at differences of opinion across age groups, those 55+ have more confidence in their provincial government’s capacity to address climate change (50%) compared to those between the ages of 18-34 (24%) and 35-54 (28%). Related to this, there are higher instances of Atlantic Canadians ages 18-34 who strongly agree in concern for the environment and the necessity of urgent action (60% and 65%) compared to those ages 55+ (55% for both). This correlation could be suggestive of the higher expectations that younger demographics have for the government due to their more urgent belief that more needs to be done to effectively address climate change.
This is an ongoing issue we continue to track. These questions were last asked in November during a heightened level of public debate around the environment and climate change following on from the United Nations Climate Change Conference – COP26. The decisive opinions on climate change have slightly decreased since this last poll, where a larger number of Atlantic Canadians strongly agreed in their concern for climate change (62% in November, now sitting at 54%) and in the necessity of urgent action (58% in November, now sitting at 56%).
Narrative Research, www.narrativeresearch.ca, is one of Canada’s leading public opinion and market research companies. As a non-partisan, 100% Canadian-owned research company, Narrative Research provides clients with state-of-the-art research and strategic consulting services. Visit EastCoastVoice.ca to join Atlantic Canada’s largest panel, and share your opinions.
This survey was conducted from January 11 to 16, with 1,140 Atlantic Canadians from Narrative Research’s online panel, East Coast Voice. As a non-probability sample (i.e., a panel sample where residents have joined a panel to share their opinions), and in accordance with CRIC Public Opinion Research Standards, a margin of error is not applied.
The questions reported in this release include:
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
- I am concerned about climate change
- Urgent action is needed to address climate change
- I trust that my provincial government will put in place appropriate plans to meet emission reduction goals
For more information, please contact:
Margaret Brigley, CEO & Partner: 902.493.3830 (W); 902.222.7066 (M), mbrigley@narrativeresearch.ca
Margaret Chapman, COO & Partner: 902.493.3834 (W); 902.222.4048 (M), mchapman@narrativeresearch.ca
