Biodiversity: unknown concept among the Dutch

Almost 66% of the Dutch do not know exactly what the term 'biodiversity' stands for. After explanation, 4 out of 5 Dutch people think it is important to protect biodiversity in his or her environment, the Netherlands and worldwide. This is apparent from research by Motivaction commissioned by the Deltaplan Biodiversity Recovery Foundation.

Nearly 1.200% of the 33 respondents believe that change is urgently needed and almost 25% of the participants say they will consider biodiversity in the next parliamentary elections. The research is part of the public campaign 'Maak Grijs Groener', which will start on 13 October. Due to the ignorance about biodiversity, only 1 in 4 respondents know what to do to protect biodiversity in the country. It is striking that almost 3 out of 5 Dutch people say they can and want to do something to protect biodiversity.

Important theme in elections
Since about 33% of the 1.200 respondents indicate that there is an urgent need for change when it comes to biodiversity, the theme is in fifth place among major (election) topics. It is therefore considered more important than themes such as 'education' and 'employment'. In fourth place are 'energy and climate' with 41%, a topic that is in line with biodiversity. At the top of the list are 'health and elderly care' (56%), 'crime and safety' (50%) and 'how we as humans interact' (47%).

Although many people do not know how to do anything to protect biodiversity, people often do this unconsciously anyway. For example, 47% indicate that they have placed facilities for animals near the house in the past year (such as a nest box for bats or an insect hotel ) and almost as many people have made their garden or balcony greener.

The entire study can be viewed here.

Kimberly Baker

Kimberly Bakker is an all-round editor at Boerenbusiness. She also has an eye for the social media channels of Boerenbusiness.

k.baker @boerenbusiness. Nl

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