River pollution is a significant issue for the British public, according to a new survey.
Author: Tracy Keeling
A new poll shows that the state of rivers in Britain is a significant issue for many of the British public. Commissioned by the environmental nonprofit River Action, the survey also found that over 90% of people back the idea that rivers should be healthy by 2030.
Having healthy rivers by that year is far more ambitious than the current official goal for England. Policymakers have set targets to clean up waterways by the 2060s in the country.
River Action released the results of the survey on 25 April. It found overwhelming support for action to clean up rivers sooner rather than later. Of those polled, 94% backed having healthy rivers by 2030. 74% of these felt strongly about the aim. River Action has outlined an action plan for achieving river health by this deadline in its Char for Rivers.
Almost half of the respondents also indicated that they would consider a party’s position on river health when voting. Meanwhile, only 6% of respondents were satisfied with the government’s efforts to protect rivers through enforcing the law.