A climate change survey finds that Delawareans are concerned about the climate, and that it poses a threat to communities and future generations.
The fourth survey conducted by DNREC since 2009 finds 74% of respondents are concerned about climate change with 79% viewing it as a serious threat.
Those numbers increased from 64% and 77% respectively from the 2019 survey.
Meanwhile more than 79% believe climate change will harm future generations up from 77% in that 2019 survey, and 58% believe it will affect them personally- also up 2%.
The survey also found that 55% strongly or moderately agree they have personally experienced or observed local impacts of climate change and 66% say the state can take more actions to reduce it.
But 59% say they personally can take more actions to reduce climate change. That’s down from the mid-60s in the last two surveys.
Susan Love is DNREC’s Climate and Sustainability Program administrator.
"I really think that this is a reflection of the growing understanding of just how big this problem is, and that the solutions for climate change are global and that national policy, international policy, state policy and business actions affect the choices that we as individuals have and I think that the polling that we've seen really reflects that," said Love.
Survey respondents show strong support addressing climate issues with tactics like prohibiting construction of new homes and buildings in flood zones and using public funds for beach restoration projects, while showing softer support for boosting use of offshore wind and electric vehicles.
DNREC says results from this survey will be incorporated into the state’s 2025 Climate Action Plan update, and there will be more discussion at public information and input sessions this month.
"So if you're particularly interested in, let's say transportation, you can come and talk to our experts in transportation,” said Love. “If you're particularly interested in flooding, you can come talk to our experts in flooding, or you can look at all of the topics that we have."
There will be one session in each county- starting September 16 at the Del Tech Campus in Wilmington. Del Tech Georgetown hosts a session September 18 and the final session is September 23 at the Modern Maturity Center in Dover.
All of the sessions run from 4 to 7 pm.
