Climate change is one of the few subjects that do not divide society, but on the contrary unite the people and the authorities have the opportunity to compare the public policy agenda in the field of climate change with society’s perception, Victor Parlicov, executive director of AO “Green City Lab Moldova”, stated in the presentation of the “Public Opinion Barometer in the Field of Climate Change”.
The survey was conducted by [imas] as part of a project implemented with support from Soros Foundation Moldova, being commissioned by the public association “Green City Lab Moldova”, IPN reports.
Natalia Camburian, director of the Good Governance Department of Soros Foundation Moldova, said the authorities should act now so as to be ready to cope with the imminent crisis. “Everyone should think what we can do to prevent climate change and it seems that we have a lot to do here. Even if almost all our nationals realize the problem, not many of them are ready to act,” stated Natalia Camburian.
[imas] director Doru Petruți said that unlike the results of the study of 2012, when the population’s concerns followed a downward trend regardless of the formulated environmental issue, the study of 2022 brings results that express growing concern at all the chapters. “The top five concerns include the situation of forests (of concern for 82% of respondents), municipal solid waste (80%) and growing amount of waste (78%), air pollution (80%) and lack of environmental education among citizens (78%),” stated Doru Petruți.
According to the survey, 35% of those polled consider the European Union is the most active player in combating climate change effects. 24% of those surveyed said this about NGOs and LPAs, while 21% said this about the citizens. The last spots are occupied by the Government (18%) and the presidential administration (16%).
Most of the respondents said that to reduce climate change effects, action should be taken globally. 80% of those interviewed said tree planting is a solution to climate change, while 73% believe the quantity of toxic waste (nuclear, chemical) needs to be reduced. 50% said the used fossil fuels should be replaced with renewable energy, 42% consider the personal cars should be used less, while 29% believe buildings should be thermally insulated.
Among the measures that the Government needs to take to solve the problem, the respondents mentioned the switchover to electric cars (33%), cleaning of water (32%), sorting of waste (21%), building of waste processing plants (25%).
The thematic opinion poll “Public Opinion Barometer in the Field of Climate Change” analyzed the way in which the citizens of the Republic of Moldova perceive climate change, starting from knowledge of the theme to solutions to climate change, including civic spirit and ecologist actions. It covered 1,208 persons aged 18 and over, with the interviews being conducted at the homes of respondents.
