Brown and Cameron neck-and-neck

Politicians are often heard to complain about the lack of engagement by young people. Our respondents feel that
the current leaders are not setting a strong example. We
asked them about Gordon Brown and David Cameron’s
credentials on climate change. The results make sobering
reading for both leaders, for while Brown edges it, the totals hardly amount to ringing endorsements. Only 23% agree or strongly agree that he is genuinely committed to tackling climate change, compared to 22% for Cameron. And despite the apparent focus on these issues in the past year, more than 30% of men and 45% of women simply don’t know if either leader is genuinely committed to tackling climate change.

Government shaping up

Who do our future leaders think is responsible for creating change, and how are they measuring up? Most expectation falls on the government, but only 16% of respondents think it is doing a lot to address social and environmental problems. This is, however, an increase on last year.

Businesses and individuals are lagging even further behind, with just 6% saying the former are doing a lot and 10% saying the latter – despite the fact that the debate about sustainability has moved on significantly in both these groups in the past year. The education system is perceived to have improved its performance, but only marginally – with 14% saying it is doing a lot.

Business: a force for good but could do more

There’s a strong sense that business, in particular, could do more. Interestingly, 75% of respondents consider business to be either wholly good or, on balance, a force for good in the world.

'I believe that the key to ensuring that humanity survives over the next 100 years, is for individuals across the whole social and economic spectrum – starting from the very top of the government and business and ending with the average citizen – to truly realise and sympathise with the apparent serious dangers we create every day.'
Nestoras Liassides, 18, Warwick University