Resource

Introduction

Most of us know the story by now: 2023 was the hottest year in recent history, extreme weather events are becoming increasingly more frequent and more intense, average temperatures are increasing, and atmospheric greenhouse gases continue to rise.

But what do ordinary people around the world think about climate change? The recently published People’s Climate Vote 2024 Results has revealed some significant insights. Commissioned by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in conjunction with University of Oxford Department of Sociology, the report outlines the results of a global public opinion survey on climate change. The People’s Climate Vote 2024 surveyed 73,000 people in 77 countries using randomised telephone polling. It follows an earlier survey conducted in 2021.

The results of this large global survey could be considered a fair representation of the thinking of the global Rotarian and Rotaractor population. As a highly regarded, world leader in humanitarian action, Rotary International (RI) can learn much from the rich data outlined in this report. Below is a selection of the key results that have particular relevance to RI and its seven areas of focus, together with some possible implications of the survey for RI. It follows the order of topics in the original People’s Climate Vote 2024: Results.

The Peoples’ Key Perspectives

• The majority of people surveyed (53%) in 80% of countries “are becoming more worried about climate change”. (p.11)
• Globally, women (55%) were more likely than men (51%) to be more concerned about climate change. (p.11)
• The majority of all age groups (53%) have become more worried about climate change since 2021.
• Older generations have become increasingly worried about climate change, compared to the 2021 survey results. (p.11)

Implications:

• Globally, the majority of people are becoming more concerned about climate change. In recognition of these widespread concerns, Rotary International can join other global leaders to take strong steps to help address climate change.
• In many countries of the world, Rotary clubs are made up of older generations, who are becoming more concerned about climate change. By encouraging actions to address climate change, Rotary leadership can help engage these older generations and give them a sense of hope for the future.
• Extreme weather events impact on people and the environment, causing widespread devastation, misery, and hardship to thousands of people. These events often have greater impact on vulnerable populations; the very people that Rotary work hardest to support.
• These extreme weather events can have impacts across all the seven RI Areas of Focus.
  

The People’s Stocktake

• People had mixed opinions about how well they thought their country was doing on climate change, with women less satisfied than men. (p.12)
• 39% of people globally believe that big businesses are doing well in addressing climate change. (p.12)
• Globally, 43% of people surveyed believe that governments are making the greatest impact in addressing climate change. (p.13)
• Other groups that were recognised in having an impact in addressing climate change were big businesses, United Nations, and campaigners and activists. (p.13)

Implications:

• The people recognised that “campaigners and activists” are making an impact (although less than the other three groups”) on addressing climate change. Rotary International can encourage clubs and districts to make an impact through climate related projects, influencing their local communities, and advocacy.
  

People’s Key Priorities 

1. Globally, 80% of people wanted their governments to “strengthen their commitments to address climate change”. In some countries there was a gender gap, with more women wanting stronger commitments than men.(p.13)
2. Globally, 72% of people wanted their country to “transition quickly from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources”. (p.13)
3. Almost 80% of people globally “wanted their country to provide more protection for their people from extreme weather events”, especially those in Least Developed Countries (LDC) most impacted by extreme weather events. (p.14)
4. Globally, 81% of people wanted their country “to do a lot to protect and restore nature”. (p.14)
5. Globally, 80% of people wanted more education in schools on climate change. (p.14)

Implications:

• Rotary International can address these priorities through:
• advocacy for climate action at all government levels – local, state, and national
• supporting the transition to renewable energy
• supporting initiatives that provides more protection for people from extreme weather events (i.e. adaptation)
• encouraging projects that protect and restore nature
• encouraging clubs and districts to work with education departments to provide more climate change education in schools (and local communities)
  

Peoples’ Key Calls for Collaboration

• Globally, 86% of people wanted countries to work more collaboratively on addressing climate change. People with higher education “were more supportive of international corporation on climate change”. (p.15)
• Globally, 79% of people supported “richer countries giving more help to poor countries to help address climate change”. (p.15)

Implications:

• Rotary International can support these calls for collaboration by:
• encouraging clubs to support intercountry collaborations to address climate change
• supporting initiatives that encourage richer countries to give more help to poor countries to address climate change