Large majorities in six European countries accept that the climate is changing and want governments to respond, but a YouGov survey released days before the Cop31 talks in Turkey found that enthusiasm fades when policies would reach into people's wallets or daily habits.
Belief that the climate is changing ranged from 69% of respondents in Germany to 80% in France. Outright denial was rare, at 1% to 4%, while 14% to 20% accepted the change but rejected human activity as its cause.
The poll covered Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK. In each, 79% to 89% said nations would tackle the crisis better by cooperating with one another, and respondents in EU member states tended to prefer that climate decisions be made at the bloc level, a view held by 64% in Spain, 61% in Denmark and 50% to 54% in France, Italy and Germany.
Summer heat lifts concern
Europe is warming faster than any other continent, and scientists link the burning of fossil fuels to more frequent and more intense heatwaves, droughts, wildfires and damaging storms.
Between 65% and 83% of respondents in each country described themselves as worried about the climate crisis, with 23% to 42% saying they were very worried. YouGov recorded rising concern as heatwaves struck this summer.
France showed the sharpest and most lasting shift. The share of worried respondents climbed from 74% in April to 83% by mid-August and stayed there last month, while those very worried jumped from 28% to a record 42%, a level that also held.
In other countries the August surge faded. The share of Germans very concerned rose from 27% in April to 40% in August before slipping back to 31%. Danish attitudes barely moved, with 66% to 69% worried and 20% to 23% very worried.
Most respondents, between 45% and 63%, said the worst effects can still be avoided, but only with a drastic change of course. Another 11% to 24% said it was already too late, and 9% to 20% believed existing measures would be sufficient.
Cheap steps win support
The policies that drew backing were those that leave everyday life largely untouched: planting more trees, subsidizing energy efficiency, banning single-use plastics and imposing taxes on large emitters.
Respondents opposed measures that would hit them directly, including higher taxes on gasoline and diesel, curbs on how much meat and dairy people consume, extra charges on plane tickets and an end to sales of new cars powered by conventional engines.
Asked what they would personally do, people favored inexpensive, low-effort choices such as adding greenery around their homes and buying produce only when it is in season. They were far less willing to buy nothing but used goods or to pay higher prices to fly.
