Australians most concern on environmental issues: poll

Australians consider environment as more important issue than immigration, public transport or unemployment, a new poll revealed on Tuesday.

According to the poll of 1010 Australians, conducted in August by Galaxy, environment has been the biggest concern, with 13 percent of respondents saying it was their number-one social issue.

While 91 percent of respondents said big business should be doing more to ensure their products are less damaging to the environment.

New South Wales Australian of the Year Jon Dee, an environmental advocate, has welcomed the findings.

"Environment groups and governments have spent many years trying to make Australians more aware of their environmental impact, so it's good to see that the message is getting through," Dee told Australia Associated Press on Tuesday.

The poll also found two thirds of adults think pollution is affecting the world's climate, resulting in climate change.

Eighty percent of respondents agreed there was too much focus on discussing climate change and not enough action being taken.

Source: Xinhua