Teens Name Global Warming Top Concern

Nearly three out of four teens who responded to a recent global survey say global warming is a serious problem that needs more attention, according to news from Greenpeace International.

The survey, conducted last month by Greenpeace and the virtual teen community Habbo, polled 49,243 teens from 18 countries. Seventy-four percent of teens responding said they believe global warming is a serious problem -- worse than drugs, violence or war -- and two-thirds said they believe climate change will have a negative impact on their lives.

"The response from the teens to this survey conducted in Habbo is phenomenal and really highlights the concern felt around the world," said Timo Soininen, CEO of Sulake, the online entertainment company that operates Habbo. "Giving teens a voice on this matter is essential and we need to find practical ways to work together and engage our youth to help combat this problem."

"Today's teenagers are tomorrow's decision makers," added Gerd Leipold, executive director of Greenpeace International. "They are 'Generation C' -- the generation that has to beat climate change. It will be up to them to create a revolution in non-polluting, renewable energy to prevent global warming from affecting the lives of billions of people and threatening the survival of countless species of animals and plants."

The survey found most teens believe governments around the world aren't doing enough to combat climate change. Fifty-six percent said global warming was a more pressing issue than terrorism. Only 33 percent of those responding said they believe governments are "very concerned" about climate change, while 42 percent said governments are "very concerned" about terrorism.

The poll also found areas where teens were confused or uncertain about climate change and its causes. Thirty-nine percent of those who took the survey, for example, blamed North America for producing most of the world's greenhouse gases. (The U.S. was passed by China just this year as the world's top emitter of greenhouse gases.) However, one out of four teens from North America said they weren't sure climate change was even a problem.

Furthermore, four out of 10 teens from all the countries surveyed said they don't actually know what's causing climate change or how to stop it. A significant majority, though -- 64 percent -- said they believe it's still possible to stop climate change.

Teens who took the online survey were given the option to learn more about global warming at the "Habbos Against Climate Change" page. Some 16,000 teens -- almost one-third of survey participants -- ended up registering for the group.

Greenpeace International, "Habbo and Greenpeace Survey Reveals Teens More Concerned About Greenhouse Gases Than Drugs, Violence or War." URL: (http://www.greenpeace.org/international/press/releases/habbo-and-greenpeace-survey-re)