The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has welcomed the results of new research into public attitudes to the environment in Scotland. The findings show high levels of public concern about many of the issues with which SEPA is directly involved, such as water and air pollution, and nuclear waste. They also indicate high levels of willingness to take action on issues like waste.

On SEPA issues, key findings show the public is worried or very worried about:

• raw sewage put to sea (84%)
  
• nuclear waste (80%)
  
• pollution of rivers, lochs and seas (75%)
  
• waste disposal (67%)
  
• fumes and smoke from factories (56%)
  
  

Global issues such as damage to the ozone layer and global warming also rank high amongst the concerns, and 88% of respondents thought that climate change was definitely or probably happening.

Around 50% of respondents said they already recycle their glass; 40% their paper, 25% cans and 12% plastic. However, over 80% of respondents indicated that they would recycle these items if provided with a doorstep collection service.

Campbell Gemmell, SEPA’s Director of Strategic Planning, said there were specific as well as general lessons for SEPA in the research:

“SEPA, with the Scottish Executive and other stakeholders, is currently developing Scotland’s National Waste Strategy and we are keen to encourage people to change the way they deal with waste. Their willingness to recycle more glass, paper, cans and plastic is very welcome. Over the next couple of years, doorstep collections are likely to be introduced in many parts of the country and, if participation levels reach the 80% indicated here, Scotland will quickly shake off its place near the bottom of the European recycling league.

“Overall the research shows that the members of the public are concerned about the environment. They want to see action to reduce pollution and address issues like climate change and flooding. They do see that there is a need for a change in the way most people in Scotland live if we are to protect the environment for future generations.

“Some of the public perceptions are misinformed – for instance there is very little raw sewage put to sea these days. Also, whilst there are still problems in some areas there have been enormous improvements in river quality over the past few years. One lesson for SEPA from this is that we need to get better at telling the good news!

“As Scotland’s regulator for pollution control and the management of nuclear waste SEPA will be working not only to protect the environment but also to inform people about its work, to reassure people that these concerns are being addressed.”


ENDS

Notes For Editors

The Survey of Public Attitudes to the Environment was funded by the Scottish Executive with Scottish Natural Heritage and the Forestry Commission and reports the views of 4119 people. It can be accessed from 29 November 2002 at www.scotland.gov.uk/eas

Information on SEPA and Scotland’s environment can be found on the SEPA Webite at www.sepa.org.uk

The SEPA Website includes reports on the state of Scotland’s environment, including data on water and air quality.

The annual Radioactivity in Food and the Environment (RIFE) reports show levels of public exposure to man-made radiation through food and the environment. They consistently show that levels in Scotland remain well below the international safety limit.