Global climate change awareness at a high

The Beeb has surveyed more than 22,000 people in 21 countries about their awareness of, and attitudes to, climate change. The headline results were:

- 79% of respondents agreed that "human activity, including industry and transportation, is a significant cause of climate change".

- Nine out of 10 people said action was necessary, with two-thirds of people going further, saying "it is necessary to take major steps starting very soon".

Looking at the results in more detail, only in India did the "human cause" view drop below 50% with the majority of the remainder views being "don't knows" rather than "non human cause". Spain, Italy, South Korea and Mexico all scored over 90%, with China weighing in at 89% - significantly more than the US's 71% and the UK's about average 78%.

With the US starting to look as if it just might start joining in international climate change action, this survey will hopefully remind our global political leaders that people want action and they want it now.