Ministers need to make more effort to end the use of coal fired power stations as a new poll reveals most people are worried about global warning, it has been claimed.

Flooding and sea level rises top the list of fears for what rising temperatures will bring, according to the survey off more than 2,000 people by ICM Unlimited for the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (Imeche) found.

It found more than half were worried about global warming, with one in seven of those quizzed, or 14per cent, very worried about the issue.

Almost two thirds thought global warming was already a problem, and seven out of 10 agreed it was going to be a problem in 20 years' time, the poll by ICM Unlimited for the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (Imeche) found.

Flooding and sea level rise was the highest climate concern, with 63per cent citing it as a worry, while 60per cent said they feared extreme weather such as hurricanes and cyclones and more than half (53per cent) were concerned about droughts and water shortages.

Asked what the most effective way of tackling man-made climate change would be, a quarter of respondents said switching to energy that produced less carbon was best, while 15per cent said all electricity should be changed to renewables.

Dr Jenifer Baxter, head of energy and environment at Imeche, said: "Since the 2008 economic crash, climate change has drifted down the political agenda. It is an issue that still worries the majority of people.

"As we've seen in recent years, the UK is particularly susceptible to flooding and sea level rises, and this is something we are likely to see more of unless urgent action is taken to prevent and adapt to climate change.

"With the UN climate change talks in Paris just four months away and speculation mounting over cuts to public spending, Government needs to clarify how the UK will meet its ambitious carbon reduction targets."

"It is important that the Government works with experts across the sector to understand the most appropriate market intervention and regulation to achieve real reductions in carbon dioxide.

"Government needs to detail how it will step up efforts to wind down coal-fired generation, which produces much more CO2 than gas or nuclear power plants."

A Department of Energy & Climate Change spokesman said: "Climate change is one of the most serious threats facing our world and that's why the UK will be pushing for a strong global deal in Paris later this year."