Hong Kong people and mainlanders disagree over whether the environment has worsened or improved in the past decade, a survey has found.
A total of 24,000 people were interviewed about the environment in 31 countries and regions this month by Gallup International and Taylor Nelson Sofres Hong Kong. About 500 Hong Kong people, aged 15 to 65, were interviewed by telephone.
The survey found that 55 per cent of respondents from the 31 countries and regions believed the environment had improved over the past 10 years.
Those surveyed in China were the most optimistic, with 78 per cent believing it had improved.
Only 28 per cent of Hong Kong respondents believed it had. Sixty-eight per cent said it had deteriorated. The remaining four per cent said they did not know or thought the situation remained unchanged.
The Hong Kong respondents listed the top environmental priorities as protecting long-term human health, followed by growing enough food and ensuring fresh water quality. Mainland respondents agreed with this assessment.
