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Last Updated: Thursday, 16 December 2004, 14:32 GMT
Concern over environment threat
A BBC e-survey has revealed widespread concern over the environmental problems facing the planet.

Planet under pressure

Nearly three-quarters of those who participated feel the world is facing an "extremely serious" environmental crisis.

Another 22% agree there is an environmental crisis, but think it is manageable.

The survey, conducted in nine languages on the BBC's news websites, attracted more than 10,000 responses.

Most respondents want to see stronger political action to protect the environment and are willing to make personal sacrifices themselves for the sake of the planet.

Not enough effort

The BBC e-survey was conducted against the backdrop of the Climate Change Convention, taking place in Buenos Aires.

Almost one in five respondents thinks that the international efforts to protect the environment has had no impact at all
Keith Frederick

The majority of those who participated feel that international efforts to protect the environment are lacking.

"While 53% of the respondents think such efforts have only had a marginal impact, another 20% think there has been no impact at all," said Keith Frederick of Frederick Polls, which analysed the survey.

"The interesting thing, however, is a majority of them would like the poor countries to work as hard as the rich countries on improving the state of environment and apply the same international rules to both."

Only 16% would like the rich countries to be bound by stricter rules, while only 7% are in favour of allowing the countries to "choose their own approach" to environmental protection.

Major impact

Just over half of survey respondents said that the world environmental crisis has already had a "major impact" on their lives .

Views on this varied depending on where the respondents lived - 73% of those in Latin America and the Caribbean said global environmental problems had a "major impact" on them, compared with only 39% of European respondents.

Climate change: The evidence and future predictions

Another 41% said the world's deteriorating environmental condition affects them personally, but only in a "minor" way. Just 8% feel it has no impact on their lives.

Almost 91% are willing to change their lifestyle to protect the environment.

"Almost 55% of respondents would change their lifestyle irrespective of the costs and inconvenience, while 36% would be willing to incur small costs and inconvenience to protect the environment," said Mr Frederick.

Among the different age groups, those over the age of 35 seemed most willing to make greatest personal sacrifices for the environment.

Climate change and pollution topped the list of environmental concerns.

This BBC e-survey contains the results of 10,050 respondents. These self-selected e-survey respondents do not necessarily accurately reflect demographic traits of the entire population of either the planet or in specific regions. This e-survey was conducted in English, Arabic, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Persian, Urdu, Portuguese and Hindi in December 2004.



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