Canadians' climate change concerns rebound amid wildfire season
Recent polling data from the Angus Reid Institute and Abacus Data indicates a significant rise in climate change as a top concern among Canadians. This shift in public opinion coincides with a severe wildfire season affecting multiple provinces.
Why it matters
Rising public concern over climate change often correlates with increased pressure on policymakers to implement stricter environmental regulations and climate action plans.
Data published by the Angus Reid Institute shows a surge in Canadians indicating climate change is one of their top concerns. In the survey where respondents were asked to choose up to three issues they care about most, 21 per cent chose the environment and climate change in July, a 50 per cent increase from March.
Angus Reid found 25 per cent of Canadians aged 18 to 34, 23 per cent aged 35 to 55 and 16 per cent older than 55 put the issue as a top concern.
Shachi Kurl, president of the Angus Reid Institute, said a higher interest in climate change among younger Canadians is "along the lines of what we've seen in the past."
Kurl said the bigger takeaway from the newest results is the consistent increase in concern across all age groups.
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