New survey shows feelings of worry and powerlessness over climate change
/This article was featured in the SCDC Weekly - 30th April 2025
A new survey has set out how Scotland views the threat of climate change, and the impact it is having across society.
Carried out by the Scottish Government, the survey shows adults in Scotland most commonly responded that they felt 'worried', 'powerless', and 'sad' about climate change, with feelings varying by education, income, and gender.
72% of respondents felt climate change is an 'immediate and urgent problem', with 62% saying they knew a great deal or fair amount about climate issues.
Community resilience was also explored, with most respondents saying they would expect to experience adverse weather in the future, with only around 60% feeling prepared for the impacts.
These survey results make clear just how far communities feel from influence and decision-making over the climate emergency. This is tied closely to social and economic justice, with the effects of climate change impacting some groups more than others.
It's clear then that more needs to be done to build knowledge, skills, and confidence around climate issues. One approach is to use community development and participatory approaches to understanding community priorities, and see these take shape into the positive action we so urgently need.
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