Nearly 75 percent of EU citizens see climate change as a 'very serious problem', according to the results of a special Eurobarometer opinion poll published on Friday.
The poll, in which 27,901 EU citizens were interviewed face-to-face, was published by the European Commission. The results showed that almost 80 percent believe that fighting climate change and using energy more efficiently would bring economic benefits.
The results also indicate that the proportion of respondents that consider climate change as a very serious problem has risen by at least 5 percentage points in 16 member states since 2015.
The differences between socio-demographic groups have also narrowed, indicating a growing consensus among EU citizens.
Respondents ranked climate change as the third most serious global problem, after poverty, hunger and lack of drinking water - ranked first, followed by international terrorism in second place.
Climate change was seen as the most serious global problem in Sweden with 38 percent and Denmark with 29 percent, while this view is held by less than one in ten respondents in several countries in Southern and Eastern Europe.
Roughly half of the respondents said they personally take action against climate change, yet when given specific examples, this share rises to nine in ten. The most common action reported was reducing waste and regularly separating it for recycling - a task completed by over seven in ten or 71 percent.
This latest Eurobarometer survey on climate change was carried out in the 28 member states between March 18 and 27, 2017.
By Ebru Sengul
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr