EIB: 88% of Latin Americans want stricter climate policies

88% of Latin Americans are in favor of governments applying stricter policies to combat the climate crisis, according to the Latin American and Caribbean edition of the Survey on Climate Change. Climate of the European Investment Bank (EIB).

The document, published this Monday in Cartagena de Indias within the framework of the Common Finance Summit (FiCS), indicates that this opinion is “majority throughout the region with percentages ranging from 83% in Argentina and Brazil up to an impressive 95% in Peru”.

“This demonstrates a willingness to accept policy and lifestyle changes in the interest of long-term environmental sustainability,” add the information.

Likewise, 80% of those surveyed stated that the attention of governments should focus on the environment and sustainable growth instead of the “economic growth at any price”.

76% of the people who participated in the survey believe that policies against the climate crisis and environmental protection will improve “the comfort of their daily life, for example, through food and health”.

“Almost three quarters of the people surveyed (72%) believe that these policies will be a source of economic growth and well-being for their country, and more than two thirds (68%) are convinced that they will create more jobs of those who will destroy” added the EIB.

The survey collected responses from more than 10,500 people from 13 Latin American countries and aims to “To know the perceptions about climate change, its impact on the population and the expectations regarding public policies to face the urgency of climate action”.

Daily life and migration

Another of the findings of the study is that 91% of people say they feel the effects of the climate crisis in their daily lives. These figures are high in all countries, from Uruguay, which registers 84%, to El Salvador, where it stands at 96%.

“57% of all the people surveyed affirm, even, that it affects them “a lot”. This reflects the tangible consequences of the Meteorological phenomena extremes and environmental degradation. In addition, 70% of the people surveyed indicate that climate change negatively affects their income or source of livelihood”, the document needs.

Other “surprising fact” of the survey is that 54% of those surveyed believe that they would have to move to another region or country due to the climate crisis.

On the other hand, 80% consider that their country should give priority to investments in renewable energies with respect to fossil fuels.

“51% prefer large renewable energy sources, such as hydro, wind, solar or geothermal power plants, while 29% prefer smaller renewable energy sources, such as rooftop solar panels or small hydroelectric power plants,” the EIB noted.

The Bank’s vice president in charge of the Latin American and Caribbean regions, Ricardo Mourinho, stated, quoted in a statement, that the survey reflects “a growing awareness and concern among the Latin American population and the Latin American and Caribbean population as a whole regarding the dangers of climate change.”

That is why this organization seeks “build alliances with governments, cities and companies in the region to promote climate action on the ground with green and resilient investments”.

Meanwhile, the EIB Vice-President in charge of the area of ​​climate action, Ambroise Fayolle, appreciates the results of the survey, as “They highlight a strong public awareness of the idea that the ecological transition can be an engine for economic growth.”

” At the EIB, we remain steadfast in our commitment to help the region accelerate the ecological transition and build resilience to the impacts of climate change.” concludes.

Source: EFE