Twice as many older Australians as younger Australians believe the world can do nothing to prevent the worst impacts of our rapidly warming climate, according to the latest Guardian. Main survey.
The survey of 1,020 Australians last week also found that only 53% of people believe climate change is happening and is caused by human activity. This figure is down one point from March 2025, when 54% of respondents said the same.
In the latest poll, 31% of voters said the world was experiencing normal climate fluctuations, with 16% undecided – up from March 2025, when 35% said the world was experiencing normal climate fluctuations and 11% were undecided.
The percentage of respondents who believed in climate change reached 64% in 2017. The previous time this question was asked before this year – in October 2021 – the figures were 59% and 30%.
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IN another survey in September 202460% of Australians agree that climate change is caused by humans.
A 2021 study found that the scientific consensus that humans are changing the climate exceeded 99.9%, with the degree of scientific confidence in the effects of greenhouse gases similar to the level of agreement on evolution and plate tectonics.
Elsewhere in the survey, only 39% of people think the world can prevent dangerous levels of global warming caused by climate change; 45% said they did not believe this.
People aged 18-34 were the most optimistic, with half believing climate impacts can be prevented and only 40% disagreeing. People aged 55 and over are the most pessimistic: just over a quarter (26%) believe climate change can be prevented, while 56% disagree.
Despite this, 59% of respondents say they are concerned about the catastrophic consequences of climate change. 67% said they were concerned about the development of self-aware artificial intelligence, and 62% were concerned about rising inequality leading to social disruption.
Peter Lewis, chief executive of Essential Media, said the climate survey showed “a general sense of doom about whether action will lead to meaningful change”.
A poll conducted before Australia pulled out of the Cop31 climate summit found only 38% supported the proposal, 22% opposed and 40% undecided.
“While Chris Bowen has an important role in the next policing body, the fact that it won't be held here is probably a positive for the government,” Lewis said.
Essential also found a slight rise in Anthony Albanese's ratings and a slight drop in Susan Leigh's ratings. The prime minister's approval rose from 45% to 47%, while his disapproval fell from 44% to 43%, representing a net approval rating of plus four.
Ley's approval rating fell from 32% to 31%, while her disapproval rose from 43% to 44%, representing a net negative approval of 13. But Ley still holds a slight lead as the best person to lead the Liberals, with 14% of voters choosing her from a list that also included Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price (11%) and leadership candidate Andrew Hastie (8%).
Fellow leadership contender Angus Taylor was the favorite of 5% of voters, tied with the moderate shadow minister. Tim Wilson.
The poll also shows the vast majority of Australians want the government to take serious action to limit gambling advertising, with nearly two-thirds of voters supporting either a complete ban or sharp limits on when they can be shown.
About 40% of voters want to ban all advertising, while another 23% call for severely limiting advertising but allowing some. Another 28% supported moderate restrictions, including the timing and programs in which such ads can be shown.
Only 9% of Australians said no action was needed on gambling advertising.
Lewis said the survey showed the public “has a stronger appetite for action on gambling advertising than the government.”
“While support is always vulnerable to targeted negative campaigns from vested interests, this suggests there is a strong basis for greater ambition,” he said.
