A new poll commissioned by the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) has revealed that 51% of respondents said the Queensland government is not doing enough to tackle climate change, whilst 24% don't know.
The research, conducted for AMCS by The Online Research Unit, polled 634 people in Reef communities (excluding Rockhampton & Mackay). The results also showed that protecting the Great Barrier Reef, protecting endangered species and acting on climate change were the top three issues of importance to address.
Almost 78% of respondents agree the Australian governments (state and federal) should be doing more to protect the Great Barrier Reef and the 60,000 marine tourism jobs that depend on a healthy Reef.
AMCS Senior Great Barrier Reef Campaigner, Cherry Muddle, said:
"We were not surprised to learn that acting on climate change was ranked as the number one issue of concern when it comes to the Reef – Queenslanders know what the problem is and are looking to our government to take the action to protect our way of life and our iconic Reef."
"We're anticipating the release of the Queensland 10-year Energy plan, which sets a pathway for how the state will be powered to achieve the 50% Queensland Renewable Energy Target, by 2030," Ms Muddle said.
"We want to see increased investment in renewables and a shift away from burning fossil fuels that drive climate impacts like marine heat waves.
"Our Sunshine state has the tools and labour force to take full advantage of the abundance of sun and wind. We have the opportunity to create good paying jobs in Queensland, slash carbon pollution and protect our Reef by becoming a renewable energy super power.
"The science is clear, our Reef is suffering from climate-fuelled marine heatwaves and this polling shows that Queenslanders want the government to take strong action to ensure its survival for future generations.
"The Reef is immeasurable, beautiful and iconic. As custodians of the Reef, we must play a leading role in protecting it", she said.
The key points from the polling are:
- 51% of respondents said the QLD government is not doing enough to tackle climate change and 24% don't know.
- Acting on climate change was ranked as number one issue of importance to address.
- Overall, the top three issues to address was, protecting the Great Barrier Reef, protecting endangered species and acting on climate change.
- 82% of respondents agree that the Reef is vulnerable right now, but it can recover. It's not too late to save the Great Barrier Reef vs 10.3% who disagree and 7.7% who don't know.
- Almost 78% of respondents agree The Australian Governments should be doing more to protect the Great Barrier Reef and the 60 000 marine tourism jobs that depend on a healthy Reef vs 13% that disagree and 9% who don't know.
These results back up similar polling conducted by AMCS in 2021 across Australia, which concluded that 62% think that the Australian government's inaction on global warming is putting the Great Barrier Reef, and the tens of thousands of jobs that depend on it, at risk.
Acting on climate change was also in the top three environmental issues Australians think are the most important to address.
