Climate: some good news and bad news
Pollster says we've entered a new phase of public discussion
Climate scientists are predicting that 2026 will be the hottest year on record.
New polling by Environics has some important lessons for everyone in the fight against climate change.
The well-known polling firm Environics has just released a new study called, “2026 Public Opinion - When Climate Isn’t the Only Crisis.”
The study’s authors conclude that the public discussion about climate change has entered a new phase.
There is some good news, and some bad news…
And ultimately some sound advice for people and organizations working to stop climate change (read to the end.)
Good news
Five years ago, climate change rose to the top of the public agenda. Global climate strikes, growing public concern, and increasingly visible impacts (floods, wildfires, extreme heat) created a sense of urgency around climate action.
Bad news
Climate impacts today are just as concerning, but Canadians are navigating a more crowded issues environment shaped by affordability pressures, housing challenges, economic uncertainty, geopolitical instability, and rapid technological change.
Good news
Public debate has finally moved away from whether climate change exists or is caused by humans. That is, it’s real and we’re the cause of it.
Bad news
For some, climate action has become a “nice to have” in a world of more critical imperatives.
Good news
Canadians continue to recognize climate change as a serious issue and support many forms of climate action.
Bad news
Climate occupies less public attention than it did five years ago and public confidence in momentum and progress on climate action is low.
Good news
Large majorities of Canadians continue to describe climate change as at least a somewhat serious problem for the planet (84%), the country (80%), and the area where they live (70%).
Bad news
The share of people describing climate change as a very serious problem at the global, national, and local levels has declined over the past three years. This is true both in Canada and globally.
Good news
Many Canadians continue to expect governments to balance economic and environmental priorities.
Bad news
People may continue to care about climate change and believe action matters, while feeling uncertain about whether meaningful collective progress is happening.
Good news
Most Canadians continue to support phasing out fossil fuels.
Bad news
When asked about priorities for Canada’s climate strategy, respondents place the strongest emphasis on economic resilience and protecting jobs, while fewer prioritize rapid fossil fuel phaseout or meeting international emissions targets.
Good news
People are more likely than not to believe that people like themselves can make a difference on climate change.
The bottom line
How can organizations use this research?
Ensure decisions are anchored in a coherent and accurate picture of Canadian public opinion and how it is evolving over time (avoiding the swings and distortion of day-to-day social and traditional media coverage).
Inform communication and engagement strategies that account for the perception gap between experts and the public, and shape messages and language that people understand.
Identify and understand regional nuances and how to address them.
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Readers pessimistic over prospects for nuclear disarmament
Last week I shared the disappointing news that global disarmament talks at the United Nations had failed to reach a final agreement for the third time in a row. Our poll asked, “When might we rid the world of nuclear weapons?”
One-third of people thought “likely never” (34%) while a roughly equal number felt it would take a frightening crisis first (30%). One quarter of readers answered, “someday, but not my lifetime” (17%) or “sooner than you think” (6%).
