THE number of Brits who think the dangers of global warming are trumped up has soared by 50 per cent in four years.
Research shows one in four voters believe fears about climate change are over-egged — with the cost of net zero policies to blame.
Brits have grown more skeptical of global warming in recent years[/caption]
The shock poll is a blow to Labour’s Energy Sec Ed Miliband[/caption]
Another 16 per cent think global warming is not the result of human activity, compared with 11 per cent in 2021.
A survey by The Times also found than one in three people are in favour of banning new petrol and diesel cars compared to 51 per cent in 2021.
And in a huge blow to Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, only 16 per cent of voters said they would be prepared to pay higher gas bills to encourage the switch to electricity.
Professor Wouter Poortinga, of Cardiff University, told The Times: “Climate change is being politicised in the same way that has been done in the United States.
“If you have Kemi Badenoch standing up saying that we’re going to drill, baby, drill, that will have a polarising effect.”
The survey also found climate change had slipped down the list of topics important to voters.
In 2021 it had been fourth but is now behind the economy and immigration, but is still above education, transport and Brexit.
Another part of the poll showed only one in four voters thought Labour’s green initiatives could stimulate economic growth.
Tory leader Ms Badenoch said the polls showed plans to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 will not work.
She added: “Keir Starmer is living in a fantasy land while families pay the price.
“That is why I have said plainly – net zero in its current form is impossible.”