In one of the first surveys I had conducted in 2007, the environment was identified as the most important issue for British Columbians. Health care was not a salient concern, people were not as worried about economic management and affording a home was challenging, but not impossible. Then came the 2008 global financial crisis, and the environment never regained the top spot.

Almost two decades later, fewer than one in 20 British Columbians (four per cent) say the environment is their top concern.

Earlier this month, more than half of British Columbians (54 per cent) told us that climate change is a fact and is mostly caused by emissions from vehicles and industrial facilities. One in four (25 per cent) say climate change is real but mostly caused by natural changes. Only 13 per cent refer to climate change as a theory that has not yet been proven, and among them are 17 per cent of Fraser Valley residents and 21 per cent of those who voted BC Liberal in the 2020........

© BIV