This month’s EcoA Tip highlights some useful data showing who Canadians tend to blame for climate change. The research comes from a national survey conducted by EcoAnalytics, a non-profit initiative that provides data, analysis, and guidance to strengthen Canada’s environmental movement.

The fall, 2020 survey shows that Canadians feel culpability for the climate crisis rests firmly with fossil fuel companies’ polluting ways and governments’ lack of sufficient action. Digging deeper into the data, we found that those who blame fossil fuel companies and the government are more likely to be younger (18-34), live in Quebec and the Maritimes, and to support all major parties except the Conservative Party of Canada.

The national survey of 1,000 Canadians also found that more than 75% feel that holding fossil fuel companies accountable for their pollution and the climate damage they cause is an important approach to address climate change. Similar numbers also think governments should be held legally accountable for climate inaction.

This type of research helps environmental NGOs craft campaigns and communications strategies aligned with Canadians’ beliefs about who’s to blame for climate change. Drawing on these data and other strategic considerations, West Coast Environmental Law, a member of EcoAnalytics, recently launched its Sue Big Oil campaign, which calls on municipalities and other groups to hold fossil fuel companies accountable for the damaging effects of climate change and ensure that governments take serious action on the issue.

Interested in learning more, gaining access to useful data and communications guidance, and joining a well-informed conversation with some of Canada’s most influential environmental groups? If so, please check out our website. We’d be glad to discuss an annual subscription that fits your budget and helps you or your agency engage most effectively with key audiences on some of the most pressing issues of the day.