Concern Varies on Environmental Issues in the U.S., Great Britain, France, Italy, Spain, and Germany Since the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill

NEW YORK, Aug. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- A new Financial Times/Harris Poll finds that the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has caused adults in the five largest European countries and the United States to be more concerned about certain environmental issues as well as oil dependency. Two-thirds of Americans (66%), just over three in five Spaniards (63%), three in five Italians (59%) and Germans (58%) and just under half of French (48%) and British (45%) adults who are aware of the oil spill say they are more concerned with the issue of oil dependency. Only between 2% and 10% of those aware of the spill in these countries are less concerned about this issue, with the rest saying they are no more or less concerned since the oil spill.

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These are some of the findings of a Financial Times/Harris Poll conducted online by Harris Interactive® among 6,180 adults aged 16-64 within France (1,065), Germany (1,002), Great Britain (1,107), Spain (1,005), U.S. (1,001) and adults aged 18-64 in Italy (1,000) between July 20 and 29, 2010.  

Looking at some environmental issues:

• Strong majorities of those aware of the oil spill in Germany (79%), Spain (75%), Italy (74%), the U.S. (72%) and France (63%) are more concerned about water pollution since the spill while just under half of Britons (48%) say the same. Just under half of British adults aware of the spill say they are no more or less concerned;
• Over three in five Germans (76%), Spaniards (72%), Italians (71%), Americans (69%) and French who are aware of the oil spill (62%) are more concerned about wildlife and environmental conservation since the spill in the Gulf;
• Air pollution is not causing as much concern. While three in five Spaniards (63%) and Italians (61%), as well as half (49%) of French adults are more concerned, while half of Americans (50%) and Germans (49%) and almost two-thirds of British adults aware of the oil spill (64%) are no more or less concerned about air pollution since the spill occurred;
• Like air pollution, climate change is not causing more concern because of the oil spill. Three in five Spaniards (61%) and half of Italians who are aware of the oil spill (51%) are more concerned, while half of Americans (52%) and French (51%) are no more or less concerned. Two-thirds of British adults aware of the spill (66%) are no more or less concerned while Germans are divided with 46% being more concerned and the same being no more or less concerned; and,
• There is more concern over the issue of oil exploration since the spill. Three in five Americans (62%), Italians (62%), Germans (60%) and Spaniards (60%) as well as just under half of French adults aware of the oil spill (46%) are more concerned about this issue since the spill. British adults are again slightly different. While two in five who are aware of the spill (40%) are more concerned, over half (52%) are no more or less concerned.

The role of government

One thing there is agreement on in these six countries is that oil companies should be more regulated. Over seven in ten French (91%), Italians (90%), Spaniards (90%), Germans (82%), Americans (77%) and Britons (73%) who are aware of the oil spill agree oil companies should be more regulated.  Where there is less consensus is the actual role the governments should play with regard to these types of problems. Just under half of Spaniards (49%) and Italians (46%) as well as two in five Americans (43%) and Britons (43%) agree that governments should clean up and repair environmental damages caused by private businesses. However, half of French adults (51%) and over two in five Germans (44%) disagree with this idea.

So What?

There is a sense of patriotism among Britons on these matters, as Britons are consistently less likely to be more concerned about the various environmental issues since the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.  But one question remains regarding those more concerned in the other countries: Will this sense of concern be something that continues after the camera crews leave the Gulf or will it dissipate as news teams move on to the next crisis?

Methodology

This FT/Harris Poll was conducted online by Harris Interactive among a total of 6,180 adults aged 16-64 within France (1,065), Germany (1,002), Great Britain (1,107), Spain (1,005), U.S. (1,001) and adults aged 18-64 in Italy (1,000) between July 20 and 29, 2010.  Figures for age, sex, education, region and Internet usage were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.

All sample surveys and polls, whether or not they use probability sampling, are subject to multiple sources of error which are most often not possible to quantify or estimate, including sampling error, coverage error, error associated with nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response options, and post-survey weighting and adjustments. Therefore, Harris Interactive avoids the words "margin of error" as they are misleading. All that can be calculated are different possible sampling errors with different probabilities for pure, unweighted, random samples with 100% response rates. These are only theoretical because no published polls come close to this ideal.

Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in Harris Interactive surveys. The data have been weighted to reflect the composition of the adult populations of the respective countries. Because the sample is based on those who agreed to participate in the Harris Interactive panel, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

The results of this Harris Poll may not be used in advertising, marketing or promotion without the prior written permission of Harris Interactive.

These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls and the British Polling Council.

The Harris Poll® #97, August 12, 2010

By Regina A. Corso, Director, The Harris Poll, Harris Interactive

About Harris Interactive

Harris Interactive is one of the world's leading custom market research firms, leveraging research, technology, and business acumen to transform relevant insight into actionable foresight. Known widely for the Harris Poll and for pioneering innovative research methodologies, Harris offers expertise in a wide range of industries including healthcare, technology, public affairs, energy, telecommunications, financial services, insurance, media, retail, restaurant, and consumer package goods. Serving clients in over 215 countries and territories through our North American, European, and Asian offices and a network of independent market research firms, Harris specializes in delivering research solutions that help us – and our clients – stay ahead of what's next. For more information, please visit www.harrisinteractive.com.

SOURCE Harris Interactive