Scotland thinks environment is low priority

Roseanna Cunningham, Environment Minister for Scotland, believes the time has come to return to the attitudes of frugality applied by preceding generations of Scots.

Over 3,000 Scots were polled by Ipsos Mori.

The survey found that a mere 12 percent see the environment as a major Scottish issue.

More think antisocial behaviour, the constitution and law and order are the major issues.

However, 33 percent think the environment is among the most serious global problems.

It also discovered that almost 50 percent of those Scots who own cars do not walk to work but drive, even if it is only a mile away.

The majority of freezer or refrigerator owners are not aware of the energy rating.

More than 30 percent do not feel that what they do has an impact on global warming.

Miss Cunningham said greater flooding and warmer winters are evidence of global warming and people need to realise that their actions affect the environment.

She commented that the good news is that environmentally friendly actions help the world’s climate and also help people to save money.

Miss Cunningham, who has never possessed a dishwasher, car or tumble drier, believes Scots should behave more like their ancestors, which would cut their carbon footprints.

They did not allow food to go to waste because they did not have enough money, nor did they use plastic carrier bags.

The Scots, she said, became materialistic in the ‘60s to ‘80s, with older things regarded as unkempt, but now we need to cut our materialism.

The survey found that most people were in favour of paying almost 10p for a plastic bag, but a minority agreed with water metering and paying for congestion.

However, the survey found that some people are adapting behaviour, 63 percent by means of energy saving light bulbs and nearly 80 percent are hanging out the washing to dry.

Miss Cunningham said there are many reasons for optimism.

Increasing environmental attentiveness and more eco-friendly attitudes are now prevalent.

The survey used personal interviews with a range of Scots from August to November 2008.