Climate concerns on the rise

Concerns about global warming have increased around the globe and many people want more action from their governments, according to a survey.

The report - by the Nielsen Company and Oxford University - shows 16 per cent of more than 26,000 people felt climate change was a "major concern" against just 7 per cent in a survey in October.

Meanwhile, 40 per cent of those expressing concern wanted governments to restrict companies' emissions of greenhouse gases and wanted more investment in low-emission cars, houses and renewable energy.

Of the people surveyed, 31 per cent thought people should recycle more but only 3 per cent said people should reduce air travel.

The survey coincides with the UN's World Environment Day, which is aimed at encouraging more awareness of the environment and motivate governments to take more action.

The theme for this year is the effects of climate change on polar ecosystems and communities.

Max Boycoff of Oxford University Centre for the Environment said: "A lot of things happening together have generated a heightened concern."

People in Switzerland, France, Australia and Canada were most worried about climate change in the report, with more than 30 per cent rating it among their top two concerns alongside issues such as the economy, health and job security.

The Group of Eight industrialised nations will meet in Germany for a summit from June 6-8. Among G8 nations, people in Russia and the US were least concerned by global warming.

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