Roman Travers: We want climate action, so why isn't anything being done?

The New Zealand Herald recently ran a poll to get a better understanding of how New Zealanders feel we're collectively doing with regards to climate change.

Contrary to some of those with the loudest voices on talkback radio, denouncing almost entirely the science that proves that climate change is unquestionably happening - and at a greater speed than once thought, the collective feedback is that we need to move faster and harder in order to combat climate change.

The outcome of the survey is a huge relief to the experts who were concerned that the issue had become quite divisive within New Zealand, as it has in the US.

Of the 1000 New Zealanders asked last month; more than 50 percent strongly believed we could be doing more and certainly need to.

Another 25 percent of those surveyed said they had no strong view while the remaining numbers were in some form of denial.

It’s fantastic to see that younger people are vastly more connected to the detrimental effect that we are collectively having on our country and the planet. They’re the ones who’ll inherit the earth, right?

29 percent of the 18 to 24-year-olds asked, wanted New Zealand to take stronger action compared to 19 percent of those aged 65 and older.

It’s also pleasing to see that 2/3 of those surveyed believe that the Government should be doing more and expect our government to do more in future.

The New Zealand Herald survey also found that climate change has brought New Zealanders closer together rather than being divisive and that climate change has now become a more personal issue.

With so much confronting the country as the next general election looms on the horizon, I wonder how much focus will be placed on climate change, given the severe shortfalls in other areas confronting us.

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