Mexico. People around the world are stepping up their efforts to prevent climate change, according to the latest results from Epson's second Climate Reality Barometer.
Research suggests that while the global economy proves to be a distraction from efforts to address climate challenges, climate change remains a major concern for many.
Despite a year of unprecedented climate impacts, the survey also reveals that people believe a climate disaster can be avoided over the course of their lifetime, although the data also shows that there are significant variations in confidence levels, driven by factors such as economics and age.
"Epson's 2022 Climate Reality Barometer shows progress, but also indicates that near-term economic demands can distract governments, businesses and individuals from immediate environmental action," said Keith Kratzberg, President and CEO of Epson Americas. "With tools like the climate barometer survey, we are better equipped to make informed decisions by being able to understand public attitudes about the climate crisis."
Optimism: influenced by economics and age
More than a third (34.1%) of people surveyed as part of Epson's Climate Reality Barometer in Mexico believe climate change is the most urgent issue that governments, businesses and people around the world should focus on.
Respondents aged 16-24 (37.8%) and those over 55 (50%) are more concerned about climate change, although all age groups consider it the highest priority for governments, businesses and individuals around the world.
From a global perspective, "fixing the economy" (22%) and "rising prices" (21%) topped respondents' priority list, followed by climate change at third place (20%). The climate crisis remains a priority for many people around the world, despite the global economic downturn, conflicts and rising energy bills.
However, climate concerns do not lead to pessimism. Before the COP26 conference in November 2021, 46% of respondents globally were optimistic that a climate catastrophe could be avoided in their lifetime. As this year's COP27 conference happens in Egypt, optimism has risen to more than 48%.
Digging even deeper, it is clear that global averages mask surprising regional variations in confidence levels. For example, optimism in most developed economies is lower than in emerging economies.
● Each G7 member country registers a level of optimism significantly lower than the global average of 48%: Canada (36.6%); France (22.5%); Germany (23.8%); Italy (25.2%); Japan (10.4%); United Kingdom (28.4%); and the United States (39.4%).
● Emerging and fast-growing economies have levels of climate optimism significantly higher than the global average: China (76.2%); India (78.3%); Indonesia (62.6%); Kenya (76%); Mexico (66%); and the Philippines (71.9%).
"Epson's corporate purpose is focused on improving life and the planet, and we will dedicate significant resources to achieve this. As the world gathers for the COP27 conference, our Climate Reality Barometer aims to raise awareness and empower transformative change. We hope that the results of the Barometer can help governments, industries and individuals step up their efforts to avert climate disaster. While we know there is a long way to go, we believe we can build a better future if we work together and act now," said Yasunori Ogawa, Executive Chairman of Epson.
Action in the face of reality: motivation and individual steps towards change in Mexico
What is promising is that many Mexican citizens are already taking steps to mitigate the climate emergency. The top three actions people have already undertaken, as reported, are: improving recycling habits (75.0%); reduce the use of plastic (75.7%); Use more reusable products, such as cloth face masks (70.3%). Respondents said key factors motivating personal action include changes in government policy (49.1%); corporate or community sustainability programs (42.6%) and online newspapers/news (41.6%).
Several of those who have taken action to mitigate the impact of climate change have consistently committed to such actions. Four in ten (43.4%) have tried recycling for more than a year and still do. Four in ten (39.5%) have been trying to reduce plastic use for more than a year and still do so. One-third (34.1%) have tried to use more reusable products for more than a year and still do.
Reality, influence and action around the world
In 2022, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) announced that "human-induced climate change is causing dangerous and widespread disruption to nature and affecting the lives of billions of people around the world..." This year alone, the disruption has encompassed adverse weather events on all continents, such as: decades-long megadroughts in Africa and South America; rapid warming of both the Arctic and Antarctic; severe flooding in Asia and Australasia; unprecedented temperatures across Europe; and disappearing lakes in North America.
In recent months, Mexico has experienced extreme drought, with nearly two-thirds of all municipalities facing water shortages. In mid-July, when this study was conducted, about 48% of Mexico was suffering from drought, compared to about 28% of the country's territory during the same period last year (source).
Unconditional optimism may be seen as wishful thinking, but Epson's results show that respondents recognize the impacts of climate change. More than eight in 10 people (80.2%) consider seeing with their own eyes (witnessing climate change in everyday life) to be the most influential factor in raising awareness. Other significant influences of climate information include the following:
● 75.7% mention government actions and/or campaigns
● 75% mention news online and through mainstream media
● 74.2% mention social media
● 64.8% mention business or community campaigns
● 64% mention COP conferences
In 2022, it seems that optimism does not lead to complacency, but encourages people to action. Between 2021 and 2022:
● the number of respondents who have started or plan to start walking or cycling more frequently has increased from 83.7% to 87.2%, while 31.8% of such people have been doing so for more than a year;
● the number of respondents who have started or plan to start using renewable energy has increased from 78.2% to 82.4%, while 18.6% of those people have been doing so for more than a year;
● the number of respondents who have decreased or plan to decrease international travel for business or pleasure has increased from 65.1% to 68.2%, while 23% of such people have been doing so for more than a year;
● the number of respondents who have started or plan to start using electric vehicles has increased from 68% to 72.7%, while 10.6% of such people have been doing so for more than a year;
● The number of respondents who have adopted or plan to adopt a plant-based diet has increased from 67.6% to 68.9%, while 16.5% of such people have been doing so for more than a year.
While individual actions are increasing, it is clear that much more needs to be done. Governments must dictate sustainability standards, companies must develop sustainable policies and technologies, and people must accelerate changes in their lifestyles if the world is to meet its climate change goals and avoid irreversible changes.
Epson's 2022 Climate Reality Barometer surveyed 26,205 people from the following markets: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States and Vietnam.
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