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    • Israelis care about the planet, survey shows
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    Israelis care about the planet, survey shows

    Harry Posted on

    majority of Israeli people worried about climate changeA new study from the National Climate Policy Research Institute Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) found, according to a new survey released Sunday.

    In the study, 1,180 participants in Israel were asked about their knowledge and attitudes on the subject. climate change and its effects on the environmenteconomy, society and health.

    The study was conducted by Dr. from the Department of Communication Studies. Yossi David and climate researcher Dr. It was held by Avner Gross between 26 and 30 June 2024.

    A third of survey respondents said they were willing to change their behavior to protect the environment. 36 percent said they were willing to eat less animal food, 33 percent said they were willing to travel more by public transport, 24 percent said they were willing to fly less, and only 13 percent were willing to pay higher taxes to encourage environmental protection .

    A key finding from the survey shows that the majority of Israelis are concerned about increasing air pollution from human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels. However, they also express concern about natural events that also affect the climate, such as fires, heat waves and floods.

    Air pollution (source: Eitan Elhadez)

    “The public appears to be more ready than ever to change their habits, more than government officials believe,” said Tamar Zandberg, director of BGU’s National Climate Policy Research Institute and former Secretary of Environmental Protection.

    Human impact on climate change

    Most Israelis believe that humans are causing climate change, but there is a significant percentage who believe alternative factors are also at play. 62% of respondents believe there are economic interests behind claims about climate change, 58% believe there are political interests, and 40% believe science is divided on whether climate change is occurring.

    Dr. “The Israeli public is surprisingly knowledgeable about the dangers of the climate crisis, despite the lack of public debate on these issues,” David said.

    The findings also show that the Israeli public wants change but lacks the knowledge of how to achieve it. The majority of Israelis from all political backgrounds (63%) have a high level of trust in science but distrust social media. Although trust in friends and family was also prominent (59%), 40% said they trusted the Ministry of Environmental Protection, while only 14% said they trusted social media.

    Dr. “This, to me, is one of the most interesting findings of the survey. It shows the public’s desire for reliable scientific information and the ability of that information to influence public attitudes,” Gross explained.

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    The Israeli public sees the need to support policies that will help adapt to climate change.

    It appears that leftists are slightly more concerned than right-wingers about the effects of climate change and are more willing to change their behavior than right-wingers.

    While an overwhelming majority of respondents on the left expressed concern about increasing air pollution from human actions, those on the center and right expressed similar concerns.

    Examining the differences between men and women, women appear to be more supportive of promoting policies and changing behavior to reduce climate change than men.

    Dr. “The data on differences between men and women is similar to the data we know from other parts of the world,” David emphasized. “However, the differences between right and left in Israel are smaller than in the United States, indicating that the issue is not fully politicized in Israel.”

    Zandberg said this shows that many political parties can work together to create strong policy measures to address the climate crisis.

    The survey showed that an overwhelming majority of Israelis believe that climate change is dangerous for humanity and that the government should take the necessary measures.

    “Our conclusion, therefore, is that it is not only possible but also necessary to consider further measures regarding climate change. The public…is waiting for a call to action at an individual and societal level to reduce environmental damage,” Zandberg said. he said.

    The Environment and Climate Change portal was created in collaboration with the Goldman Sonnenfeldt School of Sustainability and Climate Change at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. The Jerusalem Post retains all editorial decisions regarding content.



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