A new survey shows there has been a significant increase in concern about the environment over the last year.
Monash University researchers asked more than 3,500 Australians what they believe to be the most important problem facing Australia today, and 19 per cent of respondents named environmental issues like climate change and water shortages.
This percentage has almost doubled from 10 per cent in 2018, and comes second only to economic issues as Australia’s most pressing issue.
The survey was completed in July and August before NSW and Queensland fires created devastation across the nation, and report author Professor Andrew Markus said he believes numbers would now be much higher.