Global public opinion solidifies on need for emissions reduction.

When the people lead the leaders will follow...so said somone famous...and a girl i met at a climate change meeting in London some time back. Well, it looks like its time for the global political 'followers' to get there running shoes on!

Large majorities around the world believe (report) that human activity causes global warming and that strong action must be taken, sooner rather than later, in developing as well as developed countries, according to a BBC World Service poll of 22,000 people in 21 countries.

An average of eight in ten (79%) say that "human activity, including industry and transportation, is a significant cause of climate change."

Nine out of ten say that action is necessary to address global warming. A substantial majority (65%) choose the strongest position, saying that "it is necessary to take major steps starting very soon."

The logic of devloped nations acting, and supporting developing nations was also widely grapsed by people from around the globe: despite media spin it the people are clear as to what a just agreement is, one that includes india and china but acknoledges the 'North's responsibility.

The poll shows majority support (73% on average) in all but two countries polled for an agreement in which developing countries would limit their emissions in return for financial assistance and technology from developed countries....

The survey is significant as it was a fairly large sample from a wide variety of nations. The urban bias may be significant.

A total of 22,182 citizens in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, the Philippines, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Turkey, and the United States were interviewed face-to-face or by telephone between May 29 and July 26, 2007. Polling was conducted for the BBC World Service by the international polling firm GlobeScan and its research partners in each country. In eight of the 21 countries, the sample was limited to major urban areas. The margin of error per country ranges from +/-2.4 to 3.5 percent.

However it's not just city folk who are worried about climate change, thanks to the nwfr for the survey results:

A new poll has some surprising findings about New Hampshire’s sportsmen.

77 percent of New Hampshire Sportsmen agree the U.S. should be a world leader in addressing global warming.

66 percent of New Hampshire Sportsmen agree global warming is an urgent problem requiring immediate action.

Will their opinions have an effect in New Hampshire’s primary? The Presidential election?

Is global warming the number one election issue?

Read more and let us know what YOU think!

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