【1989 Archives】

Australians overwhelmingly believe in climate change989 Archives according to a new poll, and they are more than ready for the government to do something about it.

According to The Climate Institute's 2016 Climate of the Nationreport, 77 percent of Australians believe climate change is happening. That number has grown year on year in the annual report since 2012, when only 64 percent believed in the phenomenon. Of this group, 90 percent feel human activity is at least partly the cause.

SEE ALSO: 375 top scientists warn against Trump's plan to pull out of climate pact

The report, released Monday, also indicates the majority of Australians trust the science that suggests human activity is to blame for climate change.

---

You May Also Like

---

---

People are worried about food security, the Great Barrier Reef and more bushfires.

Interestingly, city and rural populations are more aligned on the issue than might be expected. According to the poll, 62 percent of city dwellers trust the science of human-caused climate change, compared to 57 percent of those in rural areas.

Australians also want the federal government to do something about it, and now. Ninety percent think the government is responsible for tackling the issue. They're not handing out medals for its performance so far -- only 19 percent of respondents think federal politicians are doing a decent job.

Mashable Light Speed Want more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories? Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter. By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up!

"The sense of urgency has been dampened by frustration with political squabbling, scare campaigns and setbacks," The Climate Institute CEO John Connor said in a statement. "Despite this, there is a strong expectation for leadership and action on climate change, a transition to renewable energy and the phasing out of coal."

People march along a road during a rally calling for action on climate change in Melbourne on Nov. 27, 2015. Credit: AFP/Getty Images

Australians are also coming to grips with some of the potentially devastating impacts of climate change. Respondents were most worried about the impact of droughts and floods on food security, the fate of the Great Barrier Reef and more bushfires.

The report polled a representative sample of 2,015 people over the age of 18 in an online survey.

The Climate Institute's poll comes just after the Earth experienced its hottest August ever recorded. As Mashablereported, that means we have experienced a record warm monthly temperature during every month for the previous 16 consecutive months.

Perhaps that's why the number of Australians who believe in climate change continues to grow. They're living it.

(Editor: {typename type="name"/})