Northern Ireland reveals climate concern

Floods, damage to wildlife, severe weather, and a more polluted atmosphere are the main worries of people in Northern Ireland when asked about climate change.

Unlike the country’s former environment minister Sammy Wilson who argued that climate change was not caused by human activity, the majority of people in Northern Ireland believe climate change is caused by a mixture of human activity and natural processes.

Edwin Poots, Northern Ireland’s new environment minister, welcomed the public’s views, which were published this week by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA).

“The findings contained in the survey results are in line with my Department’s view that climate change is caused by human activity and natural processes together,” Poots said.

Over three quarters of those polled b the NISRA said they are prepared to change their lifestyle to combat global warming.

Changes people said they’re most willing to make included switching off unnecessary lights, recycling as much as possible, and installing energy efficient lightbulbs.

“I am encouraged that the public recognise that they have an important role to play in combating climate change. It is only by a combination of public action and government initiatives, that progress against climate change can be made,” Poots concluded.