UK public's biodiversity concerns

More than three-quarters of Britons are concerned about the loss of plants and wildlife in the UK, but less than half believe they can do something about it.

Responding to a Defra survey of their attitudes and behaviours towards the environment, 79% of individuals said they “worry” about the extinction of species all over the world and 78% were particularly concerned with those native to the UK.

While 73% confirmed the environment was important to them, only 45% said they believed there was something they could do personally to protect biodiversity in the UK, and just 13% had volunteered time to help a conservation project in the previous 12 months.

The survey also revealed that fewer people felt they had a good understanding of climate change and biodiversity than in 2009.

On a more positive note, more than 90% agreed that having public parks and other green spaces close to their homes was important, with 56% saying they visited them at least once a week.