A survey conducted earlier this year on Edmontonians’ perceptions and attitudes toward climate change found that Edmontonians agree climate change is a concern (up 1 per cent to 75 per cent), that climate change is caused mostly by human activities (up 3 per cent to 74 per cent) and that we need to act now (up 2 per cent to 77 per cent).
Now in its fifth year, the survey shows progress in social norms around climate change is being made, with people’s attitudes towards climate change moving towards greater acceptance and support, and their behaviours are aligning with those attitudes.
Economy
The survey also found:
• 71 per cent of respondents agree that investing in energy efficiency provides job opportunities for the city.
• 70 per cent agree that transitioning to renewable energy sources provides job opportunities for the city.
• 66 per cent agree that efforts to prevent climate change present economic opportunities for Edmonton.
Actions of individuals
Those surveyed agreed that their individual actions contribute to the global impacts of climate change (up 4 per cent to 71 per cent), that Edmontonians should be doing more (up 2 per cent to 72 per cent) and that they want to do more personally to help prevent climate change (up 1 per cent to 70 per cent).
The average person reports having taken close to four (3.8) actions in the past year. Also, 75 per cent indicate that energy efficiency is important in buildings, an increase of per cent from the previous survey. In terms of transportation, 21% plan to buy an electric vehicle for their next vehicle purchase and 13 per cent are likely to purchase an electric bicycle in the next three years.
Ready to take action yourself? Check out Change for Climate.
Actions of the City
A growing number of people (47 per cent, an increase of 4 per cent) want the City to increase its efforts to address the issue of climate change while 23 per cent want the City to maintain the efforts it is already taking. Regarding the current climate change efforts, 43 per cent feel the City is taking the right actions (up 7 per cent).
These actions included rebates for promoting energy efficiency retrofits in homes (2021-2023) and commercial buildings (2021-2023) and investment in electric vehicle charging infrastructure (2020-2021); grants such as the CitiesIPCC Legacy Research Grant (2019-2021), the Climate Innovation Fund and funding for Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues’ Green Leagues program; development of protected bike lanes downtown and beyond; extension of the LRT network and deployment of battery-electric buses; and more.
Read the full report.
To learn more about the actions the City is taking and what its planning, check out the revised Energy Transition Strategy and Action Plan.
We can all help make a Change for Climate.
Editor’s note: the pic at the top of the post shows Walterdale Bridge, the river valley, and downtown Edmonton’s skyline in the fall.