• 96 procent van de Belgen heeft over de opwarming van de aarde iets gehoord of gelezen
• de helft van de Belgen vindt dit een heel ernstig probleem
• de helft denkt dat de opwarming te wijten is aan menselijke activiteiten

Brussels, 30 January 2007 --- Global warming is a hot topic, with nine in 10 of the world’s online population aware of the issue, and over half (57%) considering it “a very serious problem”, according to Nielsen, the world’s leading market research and information company.

Global warming, and its effects on climate change, has started to become an issue for both developed and developing countries.  The 2004 Kyoto Protocol made some tentative steps towards controlling the “greenhouse gasses” that are thought to contribute to global warming, but three key countries – the US (the world’s biggest economy) and emerging giants China and India – have yet to ratify the treaty.  So what are the views of consumers in those and other countries, and how aware are they of the issue in the first place?

The Nielsen Online Consumer Opinion Survey, the half-yearly survey the largest of its kind, was conducted in late October/early November, surveying 25,408 internet users in 46 markets from Europe, Asia Pacific, North America, the Baltics and Middle East.

Heard of global warming?

Awareness is high in all continents, with a global average of 91% and of 95% in Europe. 96% of the Belgian respondents are aware or have read articles on the issue.

 “These high awareness levels reflect the increasing media coverage of global warming particularly since the November 2006 Nairobi Climate Change Conference, “said Martine Rooselaers, Managing Director, Nielsen Belgium.

Is global warming a serious issue?

Worldwide 57% of respondents feel that global warming is a very serious problem. Half of the Belgians consider  that it is a very serious issue  with a further 36% who see it as “fairly serious”.

What’s causing global warming?

Across the world there is a strong consensus that human activities like vehicle emissions and burning of fuels contributes to global warming.  Worldwide 50% of respondents cite human activities alone as a contributing factor, and another 43% mention both human activities and natural climate changes together as factors.

As far as Belgian respondents are concerned, 50% think that the global warming is due to human activities (vehicle emissions and burning of fuels). Only 7% consider natural climate changes as a contributor factor. 42% mention both human activities and natural climate changes together as factors.

For more information, please contact Joëlle Vandenput at 02.778.70.21

46 Markets Covered: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Czechs Republic, Denmark,  Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Thailand, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, UAE, United Kingdom, US and Vietnam.