A survey of 12,000 citizens around the world has revealed increasing public unwillingness to make sacrifices as well as apathy toward international efforts to tackle climate change now. 

47% of respondents were willing to change their lifestyles to reduce carbon emissions.  Last year, 58% said they would adapt their lifestyles.

Thirty-seven percent are willing to spend "extra time" on the effort, down from 45% in 2007.  Only one in five are willing to spend more to reduce global warming, which is lower than the 28% who said so last year.

55% felt their governments should invest in renewable energy sources like wind and solar.  This is more than double the 27% who wanted their governments to collaborate in international agreements to cut emissions.

"People believe governments are focusing too much attention on indirect actions that pass responsibility for climate change onto others, such as increasing taxes on fossil fuels, encouraging individual environmentally friendly activities and participating in international negotiations, such as the Kyoto Protocol," the report said. "More needs to be done to inform consumers about measures such as green taxation or carbon trading to help them understand how tangible these can be."

Canvassers asked respondents in 11 countries about their opinions of climate change.  The nations are Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Malaysia, Mexico, the UK and the US.

The poll was commissioned by HSBC and environmental groups like Earthwatch Institute.

"There's consumer reluctance that's creeping in, and we've seen that some are being stunned into inaction by the enormity of the task," said Earthwatch Executive VP Nigel Winser.

Earthwatch's Winser said the silver lining in the poll was that it stresses public dissatisfaction with the performance of all governments, adding, "We welcome this survey because it shows that individuals want their governments to do more."  THE END.