NRW: The population sees that as the biggest problem - it is not climate change

Created: 12/21/2021, 3:40 PM

From: Oliver Schmitz

Renewable energies such as wind power should ideally replace coal energy by 2030.

But the population of NRW has other priorities.

© Rupert Oberhäuser / Imago

For the majority of the people in North Rhine-Westphalia, according to a survey, climate change is currently by no means the biggest problem.

Another topic is clearly in first place.

Cologne - What worries and fears, or rather problems, is currently preoccupying the population of North Rhine-Westphalia?

The first “NRW Check” dealt with this question.

The survey found that combating the climate crisis currently plays a rather subordinate role in the West.

Rather, most people consider the corona pandemic with all its various facets to be the greatest problem - by far ahead of other issues.

Biggest problem in NRW: Corona first by far - climate change in fourth place

• Corona pandemic (all aspects)

  : 87 percent

• Education

  : 14 percent

• Transport / mobility

  : 14 percent

• Climate and environmental protection

  : 13 percent

• Politicians / politicians

  : 12 percent

In the “NRW Check”, 64 percent of those eligible to vote currently see the corona pandemic as the biggest problem in general - multiple answers were possible. In addition, there are 5 to 7 percent who see the biggest problem in individual facets such as corona deniers, corona restrictions or the organization of corona vaccinations. Together, all corona-related worries then come to 87 percent. Well behind on the ranking of the most pressing problems were education, traffic and mobility, named by 14 percent of those surveyed, as well as climate and environmental protection (13 percent).

As a result, the measures taken so far in North Rhine-Westphalia to combat the pandemic do not go far enough for around 63 percent of those surveyed, 18 percent consider them appropriate, and 15 percent go too far.

A general compulsory vaccination is also approved by a large majority of 73 percent of those over the age of 18.

Confidence in the

parties in North Rhine-Westphalia is low overall: over half of those eligible to vote currently do not trust any party to cope with the problems in the state.

Most (18 percent) named the CDU, followed by the SPD (13 percent) as the party that could best solve the problems.

Only a few trust the Greens, the FDP or other parties to do this (4 to 5 percent each).

NRW: The population does not believe in a coal phase-out in 2030

According to the “NRW Check”, people in NRW have strong doubts about a quick energy transition.

According to this, around 63 percent of those surveyed do not believe that the coal phase-out will succeed by 2030.

Nevertheless, around 58 percent of them think it is right to at least try to do so.

Meanwhile, 34 percent are against it.

Climate and environmental protection is currently perceived by almost all population and electoral groups as a subordinate problem.

Only a narrow majority of the Greens voters see it at the top of the priority list with around 51 percent.

What is the "NRW-Check"?

The "NRW-Check" is a joint campaign by 38 daily newspapers from North Rhine-Westphalia.

The opinion research institute Forsa is carrying out four representative surveys on their behalf in the run-up to the NRW state election in 2022.

In addition to the “Sunday question” about voting behavior, satisfaction with the state government or politics in general as well as opinions on important issues are asked.

The first survey was published on December 15, 2021. The others will follow in January / February, March and April / May 2022.

For the first edition of the “NRW Check” from November 26th to December 7th, 2009 people were surveyed by telephone by the Forsa Institute.

In addition to the most important problems and individual aspects such as corona and climate, questions directly related to politics were also asked during the "NRW Check".

Among other things, the potential voting behavior for the upcoming state elections in 2022 was queried.