Australians fear Coalition is not taking climate change seriously, poll shows

Climate Institute survey reveals overwhelming support for wind and solar energy as the Abbott government seeks to limit support for both

Australians are deeply worried the Abbott government is underestimating the importance of climate change, new polling shows, as cabinet debates crucial long-term targets for greenhouse gas reductions.

The annual polling by the Climate Institute thinktank reveals Australians overwhelmingly support wind and solar energy - as the Coalition seeks to limit support for both - and see it as inevitable that coal-fired power stations will have to be phased out and replaced.