Press Release
MOSELEY CLIMATE CHANGE SURVEY
MP’s SURVEY SHOWS LOCAL COMMITMENT TO TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE
26 June 2008
A recent survey carried out by Lynne Jones MP has revealed a strong commitment among Moseley residents to tackle climate change.
The survey, which aimed to gather information on people’s environmental attitudes, was distributed to all electors in B13 within the current Selly Oak constituency boundary
The survey results show that 91 percent of respondents were concerned about the threat of climate change, and 89 percent said they had made changes to their lifestyles to reduce their carbon footprint. This was reinforced by the result that 80 percent of respondents believe reducing Moseley’s carbon emissions is ‘important’ or ‘very important’.
The MP’s survey suggests that, in order to reduce carbon emissions, roughly half of respondents ‘agree’ or ‘strongly agree’ that motoring should be made more expensive. This figure rises to 69 percent, who say they would be willing to pay more for motoring, if the money raised was used to improve public transport services.
Lynne Jones said: "The survey shows that people in Moseley have a real commitment to tackling climate change and reducing their carbon footprint. It is interesting that people feel they would be more inclined to spend money on motoring if other forms of public transport were developed. If more of us use public transport it is better for the environment as it reduces pollution and emissions of greenhouse gasses. Given that 40 per cent of UK car journeys are less than three miles, we would substantially reduce our carbon footprint if car owners restricted their car use to essential journeys. Personally, I am a keen cyclist - the best way for the able-bodied to get around congested areas, but most people in Moseley live near regular bus routes too.”
She continued: “The results from the survey were obtained before the more recent sharp increases in the global cost of oil, which has seen a 20% reduction in road fuel sales. People are now paying much more to use their cars and there is greater incentive to opt for more fuel-efficient vehicles. The Government should impose a windfall tax on the energy companies’ inflated profits and spend the extra revenue it has got from taxation on our transport infrastructure.”
Similar views were expressed on paying more to fly, especially if revenues were invested in high-speed rail.
Lynne Jones, a resident of Birmingham 13, is backing Sustainable Moseley (SusMo), a local campaign set up by Moseley Forum, which aims to make Moseley a more sustainable community both by personal action to cut household CO2 emissions and through community initiatives. Many of the respondents to the survey have joined SusMo and signed the pledge to reduce their carbon footprint at www.cred-uk.org/susmo
NOTE TO EDITORS:
Further information on SusMo, click here:
A summary of the main findings of the climate change survey can be found below. Click here for the full report.
Survey on Climate Change - Summary of Main Points
RESPONSE
• 222 completed surveys were received.
SUSMO
• 91% of all people who returned the ‘Survey on Climate Change’ were concerned about the threat of climate change, of which 59% said they would like to join Susmo.
CARBON FOOTPRINT PLEDGE
• 59% of respondents said they would sign the pledge to reduce their carbon footprint at:
www.cred-uk.org/susmo.
LIFESYLE CHANGES
• 89% of respondents said they had made changes to their lifestyles as a result of the threat from climate change.
• Over half of all respondent had made changes to their transport habits, in particular, as a result of the threat from climate change. These changes included: cutting down on car use and flights; using public transport more; and walking and cycling more.
• 29% of all respondents said that they were recycling their household waste in an effort to combat climate change.
REDUCING CARBON EMISSIONS
• 80% of all respondents think that reducing Moseley’s carbon emissions is important or very important.
• 89% of all respondents think that meeting national and international climate change targets is important or very important.
• 49% of all respondents agree or strongly agree that they would do more to try to stop climate change if other people did too.
• 81% of all respondents agree or strongly agree that the Government should take a lead in combating climate change, even if it means using the law/tax system to change people’s behaviour.
TRANSPORT
Motoring
• 51% of respondents agree or strongly agree that motoring should be made more expensive.
• 69% of respondents agree or strongly agree that they would be willing to pay more for motoring if the money raised was used to improve public transport.
Aviation
• 59% of respondents agree or strongly agree that aviation should be made more expensive.
• 67% of respondents agree or strongly agree that they would be willing to pay more for aviation if the money raised was used to provide fast train links.
BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL
• 36% of respondents said that the number one thing they would like Birmingham City Council to do to help tackle climate change was to improve public transport in the city.
(NB: Birmingham City Council do not have direct responsibility for public transport.)
Ends
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