July 12, 2024–Deep Sky, the Canadian carbon removal project developer, have released the results of a public opinion survey of N=1,200 Albertans conducted by Pollara Strategic Insights. The findings reveal that Albertans have high concerns about climate change, want the provincial government to do more to fight it, and want to see Canada lead in carbon removal solutions to address the climate emergency.
Two-thirds (67%) of Albertans believe climate change poses a severe threat to the planet, and 53% want the Alberta provincial government to do more to fight climate change. Meanwhile, 61% believe energy companies and 58% believe businesses should also do more about this issue.
These are some of the key findings of an online survey conducted by Pollara, on behalf of Deep Sky, amongst a randomly-selected, reliable sample of N=1,200 adult (18+) Albertans between May 1-12, 2024. The margin of error for a probability sample of this size would be + 2.8%. The dataset has been weighted according to the most current language, gender, age, & region Census statistics, to ensure the sample reflects the actual population of adult Albertans.
Notably, 51% of Albertans report experiencing the effects of climate change firsthand. Thus, it is not surprising that Albertans are worried about natural disasters caused by climate change (77%), the impact on insurance rates (79%), the impact for the next generation (74%), related food shortages (74%), negative health impacts (69%), and causing wars and refugees as people flee land made unlivable by climate change (65%).
Just 31% feel Alberta is a world leader in fighting climate change, while 55% feel it can be a world leader.
There is majority agreement in Calgary (67%) and Edmonton (57%) that Canada should use carbon removal technology to help fight climate change, with half (51%) of those in the rest of Alberta in agreement.
Seven-in-ten (69%) Albertans support the Alberta provincial government making investments in carbon removal technology. This support is high across supporters of all major provincial parties, with 61% of UCP voters and 79% of NDP voters expressing support. At the federal level, support for the federal government investing in carbon removal is 67% amongst Albertans, with 58% of Conservative voters, 80% of Liberal voters, and 82% of NDP voters expressing support.
For more information, see our report as well as the Deep Sky media release and blog about this study. More information about Deep Sky can be found at their website.
