Green Barometer 1 - Introduction

We all know about environmental issues but what are people in the UK prepared to do about them?

Over 80 per cent of people believe that climate change is having an impact on the UK right now and yet 40 per cent of us are doing nothing to reduce our energy use.

Knowing and caring about environmental issues is one thing but actually doing something about them is something altogether different - according to our Green Barometer. The Green Barometer is the first national index of public opinion on green issues and will track these on a quarterly basis.

Being seen to be green is popular among 70 per cent of the UK population. It's a socially acceptable thing. Reducing the amount of energy in the home is seen to be as virtuous as donating to charity. Interestingly, reducing the use of cars and planes is rated as significantly less virtuous.

Few, however, are actually making the necessary lifestyle changes - with 40 per cent doing nothing at all. That's the difference between what we are saying about climate change and what we are actually doing. It seems that many of us do a few small things (39%), but few have taken the step-up to make substantial lifestyle changes (4%).

Philip Sellwood, Chief Executive of the Energy Saving Trust, said,

"There's lots of talk by politicians, industry and the media about environmental issues. For the first time the Green Barometer gives the public a voice in this debate. Without it, it is difficult to have informed discussion about where we go from here. "

Read the Green Barometer report

Find out what you can do today to reduce your impact on climate change