European citizens are increasingly concerned about the state of the natural environment and 96% of them believe that the EU must protect nature to fight climate change, according to a new Eurobarometer survey published on Monday 6 May by the European Commission.
More than half of respondents believe that the greatest threats to biodiversity are air, soil and water pollution (67%). 63% believe that man-made disasters are the main threat (58% cite the effects of climate change).
The vast majority of citizens believe that we have a responsibility to take care of nature (96%). There has been a sharp increase in the number of people who believe that biodiversity is essential for the production of food, fuel and medicines (91%) and those who believe that biodiversity and healthy natural environment are important for long-term economic development (92%).
At least two thirds of respondents consider that protected natural areas, such as Natura 2000 areas, are of great importance for the protection of endangered animals and plants (71%), the protection from destruction of valuable areas of land and sea (68%) and the preservation of nature's role in providing food, clean air and water (67%). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)