A majority of Irish people believe warnings from scientific experts and accept that climate change is the biggest issue facing the world, according to the findings of the latest Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll. However, a significant minority does not accept that view and, even more importantly, there are divided opinions about whether people are prepared to accept higher prices for petrol, oil and gas as part of the solution. This was particularly the case among less well-off voters, with a majority of two to one against increased carbon taxes. The findings illustrate the difficulty the Government faces in coming up with a coherent strategy on climate change while building public support for measures such as carbon taxes which hit people in their pockets. It is a warning that the State’s climate change strategy could be derailed unless it is explained carefully and implemented sensitively.

Source: The Irish Times October 16, 2019 00:56 UTC