Global warming is having a serious impact now in the area where I live?

Global warming is recognized as a serious threat by a large majority of Pakistani citizens. Two thirds perceive that it has a serious impact on the area where they live (66%), according to Gilani poll (19^th and 20^th April, 2009) conducted in Pakistan by Gallup Pakistan, affiliated with Gallup International Association. Moreover, the survey also shows that 81% of surveyed people in the country declare they are taking measures to protect the environment.

“Global warming is having a serious impact now in the area where I live? “

The Gilani Poll asked the country’s citizens whether they thought that global warming

Is having a serious impact now in the area where they live. Sixty six percent (66%) agreed,

Whilst 22% felt the opposite way.

Awareness about Global climate change and its impact on human life has been increasing in

the past few years. This global survey reveals that environmental problems are being taken

Seriously by people across the globe. In 2009, a Gallup International survey conducted in 57

Countries showed that two thirds in the world believe Global Warming is having a serious

Impact on the area where they live. In 2008, a 22 country survey conducted by Globe Scan

Showed that more than 60% perceive increasing air and water pollution, depletion of natural

Resources and Global Warming as serious environmental problem. Gallup Pakistan

Participated in both of these global surveys, keeping Pakistan on the global radar on

Environmental concerns.

“Does your household take any of the following actions to help protect the environment?”

The study was releases by Gilani foundation and carried out by Gallup Pakistan, the Pakistani affiliate of Gallup International. The survey was carried out among a sample of 2915 men and women in rural and urban areas of all four provinces of the country during April 19-20, 2009. Error margin is estimated to be approximately + 2-3 per cent at 95% confidence level.

Respondents were asked whether their household takes any of six different possible actions aimed at protecting the environment: 81% of surveyed citizens declared they implement at least one of them. The most frequent actions taken by Pakistanis are recycling or creating less waste (40%), using less energy in the house (27%) and using less water (20%). Other than that 12% use fewer batteries or replace common batteries with rechargeable batteries, 9% use less spray products or use spray products that don’t affect the ozone. Overall, 12% do not take any of the above measures and 7% did not answer the question.

In the light of this survey accepting of global warming as a real threat and adaptations for its control by Pakistani citizens is a very good phenomenon for environmental scientists of our country because in absence of knowledge about a disease its treatment is not possible but this is not enough to combat with this chronic upcoming event. We need actions rather than just acceptation.

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