Youth don't agree with UN climate warnings

Less than half of Norwegian youth think that manmade emissions have caused most of the global warming during the past 50 years. This is shown by a new study made by Gallup.

The study shows that only 48 percent of Norwegian youth support the panel’s conclusion. One of five thinks that climate change has natural causes.

When it comes to solving the problems associated with global warming, only 20 percent would be willing to significantly lower their standard of living. Most of the people asked think that the Government should develop a new technology that can help bring the emissions down, in addition to other measures such as less taxes on environmentally friendly products, cheaper public transit and more research.

600 people aged 16-24 years old took participated in the study, which was focused on questions related to issues concerning the North and South.

The youth groups of Norwegian political parties, however, maintain that climate and the environment are among the main issues they will continue to be be fighting for.

- We may have been too negative in our presentations. We must talk more about the new posibilities, for example new technolgy. Showering in cold water and stop driving cars are not the only ways to save the globe, says Sveinung Rotevatn, leader of Liberal Left Youth (UV).

Ole Magnus Linge in Socialist Youth (SU) agrees: - The climate issue has become a debate for nerds. It is full of many difficult terms and figures, and not enough about the values we wish to promote, Linge says.

(NRK)

Julie Ryland/Rolleiv Solholm

Wednesday, 22 February 2012 08:01