People in Germany are worried about climate change, and their concerns make them willing to live a lifestyle that consumes less energy. That’s the result of a representative study conducted by the Forsa opinion research institute on commission from Allianz Deutschland AG. A total of 501 individuals age 14 and above were surveyed.
Natural disasters worry Germans
Of those surveyed, 68 percent were concerned about worldwide climate change. Another 22 percent were somewhat less concerned, and only 10 percent were entirely unconcerned. The respondents were especially worried about natural disasters like floods and severe storms (91 percent). They were also concerned about the possible spread of pests and disease vectors (73 percent) and health problems caused by summer heat waves (68 percent). By contrast, only one-quarter found the prospect of warmer summers and milder winters desirable.
Ominous clouds: People in Germany are worried about natural disasters caused by climate change
People willing to change their own behaviour
Two-thirds of the respondents felt they could affect climate change by their own behavior. The survey indicated people were willing to change their own lifestyles to counter the adverse effects of global warming. They were particularly willing to save energy and to change to energy-saving devices (92 percent).
Three-quarters of those surveyed want to buy more products from their own region, even if they are more expensive. A clear majority was also willing to drive less (61 percent) and take public transportation more often (58 percent). But Germans are still divided when it comes to vacations: only about half of those surveyed would give up vacation flights to protect the climate.
Many do not feel adequately insured
Surveyed about their own insurance protection, only a bit more than one out of every two respondents felt adequately insured against the consequences of natural disasters. One-third said outright that they were not well enough insured; the rest were uncertain. At the same time, about half of those surveyed were willing to pay more for insurance protection against the consequences of natural disasters. Only 15 percent categorically rejected the idea.
"Damage from natural events can cause especially serious expenses with residential buildings," said Thomas Pleines, Member of the Board of Allianz Deutschland AG. That’s why every property owner must thoroughly review whether their property is adequately protected: "80 percent of our clients who have home insurance have also insured the building against storm damage. But only about 20 percent have insurance against such natural dangers as high water, floods, earthquake or snow buildup."