Nine out of ten believe human activity responsible for climate change: BBC poll

A BBC World Service poll has suggested that human activity is causing global warming, and most are in favour of major steps being taken soon to address the issue.

London, Sept.25 : A BBC World Service poll has suggested that human activity is causing global warming, and most are in favour of major steps being taken soon to address the issue.

More than 22,000 people were surveyed in 21 countries and the results show a great deal of agreement on the issue. The survey is published a day after 150 countries met at the United Nations to discuss climate change.

An average of 79 percent of those surveyed agreed that "human activity, including industry and transportation, is a significant cause of climate change".

Nine out of 10 people said action was necessary, with two-thirds of people going further, saying "it is necessary to take major steps starting very soon".

In none of the countries did a majority say no action was necessary to combat climate change.

The survey was conducted by the polling firm Globescan and the Program on International Policy Attitudes (Pipa) at the University of Maryland in the US.

The survey found widespread support (73 percent of respondents) for an international agreement to limit emissions of greenhouse gases that would include developing countries.

In return, developing countries would get financial and technological assistance from richer nations.

Only in Egypt, Nigeria and Italy did more people take the position that developing countries should not be expected to limit emissions.

ANI