Drought has been and continues to be a major environmental concern for many Australians. In 2020 Drought was the equal leading environmental concern for Australians with 82% reporting that drought and drying was a very serious environmental issue, placing it at the top of environmental concerns along with bushfires. While there was a decline in the overall number of Australians who reported drought as a very serious environmental concern in 2021, it remained the second highest concern behind bushfires with 67% stating it was still a very serious concern, with 71% stating bushfires was very serious.
Almost all participants reported that drought and drying was an environmental impact of concern.
There’s been a 9% increase in the number of Australians who reported that drought as a very serious environmental concern between 2008 and 2020.
In January 2021, two thirds of Australians thought drought and drying was a very serious issue affecting Australia.
The index of environmental concern – which sums 8 environmental concerns – was at 27.3 (of a maximum 32).