Observation
In 2025, half of the public (51%) say ‘global warming is a serious and pressing problem’ about which ‘we should begin taking steps now, even if this involves significant costs’ — a drop of six points since last year. One-third (33%) say ‘the problem of global warming should be addressed, but its effects will be gradual, so we can deal with the problem gradually by taking steps that are low in cost’, roughly steady on last year. Only 15% take the view that ‘until we are sure that global warming is really a problem, we should not take any steps that would have economic costs’, up three points since last year.
Young Australians continue to view climate change with a greater sense of urgency, with more than six in ten Australians (63%) aged 18–29 saying that global warming is a serious and pressing problem — 17 points more than those aged over 60 that say the same (46%). However, since last year, a decline in the sense of urgency across all age groups is most pronounced among the youngest, which saw a ten-point drop.
Political leaning is highly correlated with views on climate change. Two-thirds of Australians (66%) who lean towards Labor say global warming is a serious and pressing problem, compared to around a quarter (27%) of those who lean towards the Liberal–National Coalition. Among the latter group, the most prevalent view (48%) is to deal with climate change gradually, by taking steps that are low in cost.