London, 2 May 2008 – Eight out of ten Europeans (78%) think environmental problems have a direct effect on their daily lives whilst two in ten (19%) believe the opposite, according to the findings of a recent Eurobarometer survey conducted by TNS Opinion for the European Commission.
The survey, which interviewed over 26,700 people across the 27 Member States also shows virtually all people agreed that they experience the effects of environmental problems in their daily lives in Greece (98%) and Cyprus (96%), and 90% or more concur in Malta (92%), Slovakia (91%) and Italy (90%). On the opposite side, the largest proportions of respondents declaring that negative effects of the environment are not visible in their lives can be found in Denmark (39%), Sweden (37%), The Netherlands (35%), Luxembourg (31%), Germany (29%), and Finland (27%).
Analysing socio-demographic groups, although there are no significant differences, young respondents are slightly less likely to say that environmental problems have direct effects on their lives compared to their elderly counterparts.
The survey conducted by TNS Opinion also shows that climate change is the top environmental concern among Europeans with the absolute majority (57%) mentioning it among the top five issues. Water pollution (42%), air pollution (40%) and man made disasters (39%) are mentioned by around four in ten respondents. Three in ten EU citizens are concerned about natural disasters (32%), the impact on health of chemicals used in everyday products (32%), and the depletion of natural resources (26%). Two in ten mention as one of their main environmental worries growing waste (24%), loss in biodiversity (23%), agricultural pollution (23%), the use of genetically modified organisms in farming (20%), and urban problems (15%). Finally, other items can be seen like the impact of current transport modes (12%), consumption habits (11%), and noise pollution (8%).
The same question was asked in 2004 within the EU – before the accesion of Bulgaria and Romania which were not included in the survey. Although European citizens’ concerns remain broadly the same, there is a clear shift among the top four concerns: The number of respondents that cite climate change grew 12 points compared to 2004 whereas the shares for the other three main concerns decreased (Water pollution: 42%, -5; Air pollution: 40%, -5; Man made disasters: 39%, -7).
Climate change is the most frequently mentioned issue in 21 countries with 79% of Cypriots and 71% of Swedes citing it. Contrarily, it is mentioned by just four in ten respondent in Estonia (39%), Latvia and Lithuania (both 38%). Water pollution is the main concern of citizens in Estonia (64%), Lithuania (58%), Latvia (55%) and Czech Republic (54%) whilst air pollution is the most mentioned problem in Malta (64%) and Bulgaria (50%).
Also, respondents in the EU15 tend to mention climate change more often than respondents in the NMS12 (58% against 51%). It should be noted, however, that if we look at the evolutions for this item by country, we see that in many new Member States respondents appear more concerned than in 2004. The increase is over 20 percentage points for example in Cyprus, Hungary and Slovenia. In the Baltic States the highest concern is water pollution which might to be linked, at least to a certain extent, to the condition of the Baltic Sea which is affected by ongoing eutrophication. Respondents in Slovenia and the Czech Republic are also most likely to cite water pollution. Finally, in Malta and Bulgaria, the highest concern is air pollution.
Leendert de Voogd, Global Head of TNS Political & Social, comments: “The overwhelming level of concern about environmental issues shown by Europeans, specially regarding climate change, is a clear demand to their leaders to address these problems at once.”
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Note to Editors
About TNS Political & Social Facts and Figures:
The Eurobarometer report was posted at the following website on March 2008:
http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/index_en.htm
The European Commission has made data from this report available to relevant media since it was first published. To the best of our knowledge, the findings in the attached press release have not been released.
These findings are based on TNS Opinion research conducted between November and December 2007. All data discussed in the above announcement is based on the opinions of those surveyed. TNS will only support data which is published, in the context we have presented it and our own interpretation of these findings. We cannot be held responsible for any other interpretation.
As a leading information provider, TNS wants to cast new light on currently debated topics presenting data collected on a European or International basis. TNS Political & Social Facts & Figures will be published twice a month.
Methodological background:
Fieldwork: 9th of November to the 14th of December 2007
Number of interviews conducted: 26,730 persons interviewed face-to-face in the 27 Member States of the EU.
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For more information and detailed results on a country-by-country basis, please contact:
Leendert de Voogd, Global Head of TNS Political & Social
Tel: +32 (0) 2 66 118 66 or email: leendert.devoogd@tns-global.com
Pascal Chelala, Managing Director, TNS Opinion
Tel: +32 (0)2 66 118 66 or email: pascal.chelala@tns-opinion.com
Stuart Ridsdale, International PR Manager, TNS
Tel: +44 (0) 208 967 4787 or email: mailto:katie.zurita@tns-global.com
Emily Luscombe / Maja Rode, Camargue
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7636 7366 or email: eluscombe@camarguepr.com / mrode@camarguepr.com
European Commission 
