UK adults admit understanding the best ways to tackle climate change is a conundrum they’re yet to crack.
And despite almost all adults being aware of the causes, only two-fifths say they have knowledge of the transformational impact of UK nature in helping to combat climate change.
New research reveals that while 93 per cent of UK adults say they understand what causes climate change, well under half (42 per cent) are aware that nature itself is one of the most powerful tools in combating it.
Of the 56 per cent who knew about carbon-capture technology, over half (52 per cent) consider it to be a solution in the fight against climate change.
Despite the UK being home to its own ‘green-technology’ seagrass, 55 per cent of those polled say they’re not familiar with what the marine flowering plant actually is.
#DidYouKnow seagrass captures carbon 35x faster than tropical rainforests? 🌳🌍
— Sky (@SkyUK) September 29, 2021
Help us plant more seagrass by becoming a #ForceForNature 💪 For every 1,000 people who sign up, we will plant 4,000 seagrass seeds with @WWF_UK.
Sign up here 👉 https://t.co/clB9ZOQ9zI pic.twitter.com/SjRBpqAM1H
Of those who are aware of seagrass, one third do not know about its powerful carbon-capturing potential.
Sky Zero and WWF are launching the Force for Nature campaign to highlight the power of the UK’s natural habitats in the battle against climate change, asking the public to sign up to become a Force for Nature and add their names calling on Government to keep their climate promises.
In return, Sky Zero and WWF will plant up to one million seagrass seeds around the UK.
Jeremy Darroch, Executive Chairman at Sky and WWF-UK Ambassador, said: “We’re beginning to understand just how at risk our cherished UK landscapes are, from a variety of factors including deforestation, urbanisation and a lack of protection.
“However, what is less known is just how powerful these natural habitats can be in the fight against climate change, providing we can restore and protect them.”
The research polled 2,000 UK adults and revealed that while seven in ten (70 per cent), know that trees can absorb carbon, over three-fifths (62 per cent) were unaware of the benefits of peat bogs which have the potential to store twice as much carbon as forests.
Did you know…
— WWF UK (@wwf_uk) September 29, 2021
seagrass captures carbon up to 35 times faster than tropical rainforests?
Help us plant more seagrass by becoming a #ForceforNature. For every 1,000 people who sign up, @SkyUK
will plant 4,000 seagrass seeds.
Sign up here: https://t.co/ws0KG9MHUh
And a similar proportion (65 per cent) didn’t realise that wildflower meadows are climate superheroes, containing over 100 species of flowers and helping to improve biodiversity.
Over half were unaware that kelp forests help protect against climate change and play a crucial role in cushioning shorelines against the effects of storm surges and rising sea levels.
Sky Zero and WWF are asking the public to join the Force for Nature campaign and Tanya Steele, Chief Executive at WWF, added: “From wildflower meadows to peat bogs and kelp forests to seagrass, we must protect these vital assets and secure their future – for our own sake.
“All UK governments must keep their climate promises while we still have a chance to turn things around. We all have a role to play and becoming a Force for Nature and helping us plant more carbon-capturing seagrass seeds is one of the ways people can show their support.”
Become a Force for Nature to show all UK governments that you care about UK nature and in return Sky Zero and WWF will plant carbon-capturing seagrass. Sign up at at www.wwf.org.uk/force-for-nature to become a Force for Nature and add your voice to Sky Zero and WWF’s call on the governments to keep their climate promises and in turn Sky Zero and WWF will plant up to a million carbon-capturing seagrass seeds on behalf of the UK public.
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