Most of the public feels unprepared for the effects of climate change following the extreme heat, flooding and storms of recent years, a poll commissioned by council leaders has revealed.
Commissioned by the Local Government Association (LGA), the YouGov poll found that six in 10 people (63%) are worried about climate change and just 5% feel prepared for its impacts.
The LGA called on the Chancellor to use next week’s Autumn Statement to signal a rapid acceleration in the work to get ready for the escalating impacts of the climate emergency.
This work might include, for example, more flood defences and the securing of local infrastructure.
Cllr Darren Rodwell, environment spokesperson for the LGA, said: ‘Councils want to play their full role in preparing people and places for the impacts of climate change on local areas.
‘As extreme weather events become more frequent and intense, the public sense of unpreparedness will undoubtedly harden and grow.’
The poll also found that one in 10 people (12%) think climate change will not impact their area.
