Survey results show ‘tackling climate change’ is issue of huge importance to young voters in Midlands North West

Young voters in the Midlands North West constituency feel tackling climate change is an issue of huge importance for the upcoming elections, according to survey results recently published.

In a survey organised by Dominic Hannigan, the Labour Party’s European election candidate for the constituency, 78% of respondents selected ‘Ensuring Ireland tackles climate change’ as the issue of greatest importance to them.

This issue scored higher than all other options listed for survey respondents. Tackling the housing crisis was the next highest-scoring, deemed to be of ‘huge importance’ by 60% of respondents. This was followed by tackling youth unemployment (40%) and ensuring an effective response to Brexit (34%).

An overwhelming majority of survey respondents felt Ireland and the EU are not currently doing enough to tackle climate change: 94% said the Irish Government is lacking in this regard, with 88% sharing this sentiment in relation to the EU.

Commenting on the survey results, Dominic Hannigan said: “What this survey clearly shows is that voters in the Midlands North West are hugely concerned about climate change, and really eager to see the Government and EU demonstrating leadership in tackling this issue. This is particularly true for younger voters. In fact, most of those who completed this survey were under the age of 34.

“A huge majority of respondents – 88% – said their voice, and the voice of young people is not given enough consideration in the debate on climate change. As politicians and policymakers, we have a duty to listen to public concerns and follow the leadership example set by young people in responding to this major challenge.

“As an MEP, I will make tackling climate change a central pillar of my work. And I will continue to consult with and involve young people in my work on this issue throughout my time at the European Parliament.”

Endorsement from young climate activists

The survey results were launched at an event in Drogheda, attended by a number of young climate activists, who recently organised #SchoolStrike4Climate protests.

Commenting at the event, Conor Bailey (18) from Ardee, Co. Louth, said: “The idea of a genuine, caring politician, who’s vowing to lobby, work and advocate for climate action and who’s willing to hear the voice of young people appeals to me greatly.”

Survey Findings

Additional results from the survey include:

– Reducing plastic use was deemed by a majority of respondents (71%) to be the issue of most importance to them, in relation to tackling climate change. This was followed by prevention of illegal dumping (68%); recycling (65%); tackling food waste (43%), and encouraging people to use their cars less (35%).
– Respondents identified the need for corporate leadership and EU-wide and global cooperation in tackling climate change: 82% said ‘Global cooperation – by governments throughout the world – on tackling climate change’ was ‘hugely important’ to them. This was followed by ‘The introduction of EU-wide measures’ (77%); ‘The introduction of laws in Ireland to tackle climate change’ (72%); and the need for businesses to show leadership in tackling climate change (68%).

The survey was conducted online in recent weeks and received 431 responses in total. Two-thirds of those who completed the survey were aged 34 or under.