This story is part of The 89 Percent Project, an initiative of the global journalism collaboration Covering Climate Now.
The 89% Project
What can I do
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Talk to neighbours, friends and family and share awareness of the challenges we face.
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Get in touch to share your own story on Alfred
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Read our practical tips for low budget, low carbon living here
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Explore our Project Page for things to get involved with and come to a Planet Shaftesbury meeting to meet others.
The 89 % project was born out of research across 125 countries which showed that 89% of people want intensified political action on climate change and 69% were willing to give up 1% of their personal income to support this action. However, most people interviewed thought that they were in the minority concerned about climate change rather that the majority of people. Interestingly, a similar misperception was highlighted by the Common Cause Foundation. Researching in the UK, they found 74% of people in the UK place greater importance on compassionate values rather than selfish values but also 77% of those citizens imagine they are surrounded by people who are overwhelmingly out for themselves. These misperceptions are crucially important as, when faced by issues of inequality, social justice and climate change, people are disempowered and alienated, imagining they are in a helpless minority when the opposite is the case! In order to present a true picture of where people were at the89 % project was set up, aimed at helping the media industry support more truthful reporting about the concern people feel about the climate crisis we face worldwide.
Planet Shaftesbury is developing an 89% series with Alfred.
We would like to hear from anyone who might like to be interviewed for this programme, especially those who have never talked about this issue and may have an interesting slant. Many people from health professionals, farmers, anglers, insurance professionals,parents etc. are clearly feeling the impact of our changing climate, even in this country. So do talk to your neighbours and get in touch. We want to hear from you.