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"Two out of five" UK people tackling climate change

17 May 2007

A new poll by the Environment Agency has revealed that 41 per cent of Britons claim to have altered their behaviour in order to help combat climate change.

While the agency has welcomed this figure as an encouraging sign, concerns remain over the fact that the majority of the public still seems uninterested by environmental issues.

Furthermore, the fact that over half of the 41 per cent cited recycling as their main contribution is slightly worrying, the group believes, as the practice does not have much direct impact on climate change.

"The message is getting through to some people that tackling climate change is everyone's responsibility," said Environment Agency chief executive Barbara Young.

"But we must be relentless in our efforts to reduce carbon emissions because there still exists a level of apathy in some parts of the community," she added.

The agency conducted the survey in a bid to publicise its attempt to compile the UK's biggest ever survey on climate change, which people can currently participate in online, as part of the build-up to World Environment Day on June 5th.

This year's World Environment Day, through which the UN attempts to raise worldwide awareness of climate change and other issues, will focus on the slogan Melting Ice ? A Hot Topic?.

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