A Study Reveals What People Think About Biodiversity

Have you ever noticed signs of biodiversity loss in your daily life?

Perhaps you've observed less life in the river near your home, noticed that birdsong has become quieter in the spring, or seen a green space dry up or give way to concrete.

When this happens, it can sometimes feel as though you're the only one noticing. You may wonder: am I the only one seeing this? The only one concerned about it?

Yet the reality is quite different. A large majority of people around us are noticing the same changes and sharing the same concerns. This is what a survey conducted by IPSOS on behalf of Fondazione Capellino in nine countries reveals: Italy, the United Kingdom, Spain, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, the United States, and Canada.

• Across all the countries studied, the majority of respondents said they are interested in biodiversity and have already noticed at least one sign of its decline.
• Most would like to see more information, stronger legislation, and greater public investment to protect biodiversity.

For this study, one thousand citizens representative of their respective countries were surveyed on a range of issues related to biodiversity and its conservation.

Ultimately, the results challenge a common misconception: environmental issues do matter to the general public.

What Does the Study Tell Us?

Mediterranean countries are, overall, the most concerned about biodiversity loss, while the United States and the Netherlands are somewhat less concerned.

Across all countries, climate change remains the primary source of concern. In the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, biodiversity also occupies a central place. In every country, biodiversity is primarily associated with the diversity of ecosystems.

One in two respondents would like to see more biodiversity-related content in the media. Seven in ten want more public resources dedicated to protecting nature. And six in ten are convinced that agriculture and biodiversity can coexist.

But one finding stands out in particular: six people out of ten say they have personally observed signs of biodiversity decline. Birds disappearing, plants becoming rarer, rivers that were once clear and are now polluted...

Biodiversity is therefore not a topic reserved for experts or scientists. Its effects are visible all around us and are a source of concern for a large portion of the population.

The message from citizens is clear: it is time to take action.

The question that remains is whether policymakers, the media, and businesses will rise to the challenge.

Would you like to discover how people in France responded to this survey? Find the results here!

 Would you like to discover how people in the United States responded to this survey? Find the results here!