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Almost two thirds of Australians believe the country is facing a climate emergency and governments should mobilise all of society to tackle the issue as it did during the world wars, a new survey has found.

Significantly, the research from The Australia Institute was conducted in November before some of the worst bushfires raged across the country ahead of Christmas and on New Year’s Eve.

Australia’s bushfire season began early this year and there have been major blazes since October. The fires have claimed 26 lives, burned more than 10 million hectares of land and obscured and paralysed Australian cities for days by smoke haze.

“This polling was conducted in November before the worst aspects of the current bushfire disaster had hit, but the results are still very clear,” The Australia Institute deputy director Ebony Bennett said. “It will be interesting to see if the current crisis shifts opinions.”

The survey of 1424 people found 66 per cent agreed Australia was facing a climate emergency and should take emergency action, with only 23 per cent disagreeing.

When asked whether governments should mobilise all of society to tackle climate change like Australians were mobilised during the world wars, 63 per cent agreed and only 22 per cent disagreed.

“Australians understand how serious the climate crisis is and they want their government to respond accordingly,” Ms Bennett said.

“Across all major states and voting intentions, people are worried and want action. This is an Australia-wide phenomenon and can no longer be fobbed off by the Government as an ‘inner-city’ or ‘Canberra-bubble’ concern.”

Even among Coalition voters, 54 per cent thought Australia should take emergency action.

Support was strongest among Greens voters (86 per cent) then Labor (79 per cent) and independent/other (56 per cent). One Nation voters were the least supportive, with only 42 per cent wanting action, although this still exceeded the 38 per cent who disagreed.

Among the states, more than 60 per cent of those living in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia agreed.

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“Our research has shown that, overwhelmingly, Australians think our country is facing a climate emergency and that less than one quarter of Australians disagree,” Ms Bennett said.

“Since the beginning of this fire season, the images of devastation spreading across the country have been distressing for many and most want to see all of society mobilised in response.

“The Government should start by introducing a levy on fossil fuel producers to create a National Climate Disaster Fund.

“Such a policy is supported by 62 per cent of Australians and would help to shift the financial burden of these fires from Australian households, businesses and taxpayers.”

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