Men cannot see themselves eating less meat, young people who care about climate change are still unwilling to give up flying regularly, and older people are reluctant to stop using open fires to heat their homes.
Those are just some of the worrying views revealed in a Department of Environment survey of 4,000 people across the country, which also finds some climate activities are perceived as “Dublin-centric” and alienate people in more regional and rural areas.
Overall, the survey finds the likes of inflation, crime, healthcare, and immigration are far more likely to worry people than climate change.
The comprehensive report also finds:
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- Climate change ‘fatigue’ is setting in;
- People think they’re taking enough climate action when they actually need to do a lot more;
- Many people are reluctant to live car-free;
- A sizeable proportion of the population do not plan to change their diet significantly in terms of the reduction of meat consumption by considering switching to a vegetarian diet;
- Many are sceptical about the value of the adoption of heat pumps;
- Climate action policy is viewed by some citizens as being “middle-class, urban, and Dublin-centric”;
- And they see climate change as something that is happening far away, rather than also in Ireland today.
Scientists have said that Ireland will not be immune from the effects of climate change, with warnings the country will need to brace itself for more extreme weather events.
In June, UN secretary general Antonio Guterres said the world “needs an exit ramp off the highway to climate hell” given how perilously close we are to exceeding 1.5C above pre-industrial levels.
This study found that Irish people acknowledge that the country’s climate is changing, but feel the change is not occurring to the same extent as in other countries.
“We cannot assume that worsening climate events internationally or in Ireland will lead to a dramatic uplift in the urgency with which climate actions are viewed,” it said.
“Older citizens see their identity being eroded through bans of turf whilst farmers see criticism and disregard for their livelihood.
“These challenges can be overcome but change in approach are potentially necessary.”
The study also found that people who believed they had already changed how they live to be more climate-conscious, actually still have to make “significant changes”.
“A sizeable cohort of those who took part in this consultation already believe that they have made changes to their transport behaviour through increased usage of public transport, reduced number of flights and active travel,” it said.
The study found that people routinely did not make the connection between the numerous holidays they book and the damage to the climate.
It said that “numerous arguments” were made to justify this travel, such as the flights departing whether they were on board or not.
This points to a sensitivity to international celebrities “continually flying in private jets frequently whilst the broader population is being asked to not take a holiday and city break abroad”.
The report says that community engagement is vital to driving climate action.
It suggests that those in rural farming areas and those with disabilities need extra attention and tailored strategies to help them take climate action.
“Signs of behavioural change are emerging among Irish citizens, but deeper transformation is needed,” the report added.
Reacting to the report, Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan said: “If there’s one really salient issue from this report it’s that every aspect of climate action must be viewed through a just transition lens.
“If we don’t have a fair transition, it won’t be fast, and if we don’t have a fast transition it won’t be fair for anyone.”