RESEARCH has revealed that 2 in 5 Glasgow residents are lacking in general knowledge surrounding climate change.
Modular Classrooms, who offer sustainable building solutions for expanding schools and colleges, conducted a survey of 6000 Brits to find out just how much they knew about climate change.
On average, respondents answered a mere 46% correctly when tested and in Glasgow, the figure was 40% - meaning that 2 in 5 people lack a sound knowledge about climate change and its devastating effects.
The Evening Times took to Sauchiehall Street to find out just how much the people of Glasgow actually know (or care) about the climate emergency.
We also played a little game of two truths and a lie, and whilst most of our players were pretty on the ball - they were still stumped at some of our questions!
Emma Hislop, 28 from Govanhill said,
“I will be striking on the 20th. I definitely am worried about climate change; it keeps me up at night. I had a nightmare last night about all the Aphid's dying. Which is kind of weird.
"I'm not sure of Glasgow as a locale, but it’s an issue over the whole world. I’m definitely worried about the Greenland Glaciers melting and us no longer existing.”
Jamie O’Neill, 32 from Drumchapel had plenty of suggestions.
“I think that growing up, climate change is something that you need to consider. I have a phone shop, and we’ve been looking at ways to reduce the plastic that we get - but we're working with other companies that are so used to generating so much plastic anyways it's hard to feel you're making a difference.
"I think the council need to do more – they need to go out and speak to people. There are taxi queues where cars sit for hours with carbon monoxide, yet you can’t drive down Renfield street anymore because of the bus gates.
"I think there's more education that needs to be done for young people. It needs to be more practical. I want to stop using plastic bottles, but it’s so easy to just run across the road and grab a plastic bottle, you bin the bottle and don’t really care where it goes next – but you should care about it. Very soon there is going to be so much plastic that we’ll have it in our own systems."
Flora Robson, 21 from Garnethill is studying at the Glasgow School of Art, which she says has works hard about climate change.
"They’re very keen on sustainability and have a good ethos towards climate change and making sure students are aware of what we can do as our part as the younger generation. They set up a lot of workshops and encourage students to cycle rather than take the car.
"Glasgow is one of the greenest cities in the UK, so it’s good in that sense for providing space for people to enjoy the environment. But I'm not sure beyond that, in terms of transport and that kind of thing."
Rosie Trevill thinks that Glasgow is good for its upcycling and independent businesses striving to make a difference with climate change.
"I think Glasgow is really good for upcycling... things like freecycle on gumtree has a lot going on, cthe reuse of clothes and donations are more prominent in Glasgow than in other places...
“I’m worried about the lack of action.
“We’ve been aware of things going on for so long but it seems like almost nothing is being done."
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