Recent reflections among Spaniards, based on the Center for Sociological Studies survey, indicate that climate change and global warming are seen as the leading global challenges for the coming decade. The study also highlights concerns about hunger, food scarcity, and famine as pressing issues for humanity in the near future, according to the CIS social trends assessment conducted in Spain.
The CIS report, released today, asks Spaniards which global problems they expect to dominate the next ten years and emphasizes the broad public’s worry about climate change as a major factor shaping the world outlook.
The survey results show that 17.9 percent of respondents identify problems linked to global warming as their primary concern for humanity in the near term, while 14.8 percent point to hunger and food shortages as a related threat.
Beyond these, the study highlights a spectrum of anticipated global challenges. Poverty, inequality, and social problems are viewed by 9.5 percent of participants as the world’s most significant issues in ten years. Drought and desertification are cited by 6.7 percent, followed by unemployment, insecurity or automation at 6.2 percent, and worries about rising prices, energy scarcity, and dependence at 5.9 percent. Conflicts and wars are seen as a risk by 4.9 percent, with concerns about an economic crisis appearing at 4.7 percent.
Impacts of climate change worry the public efe
The survey also finds that a sizable portion of Spaniards anticipate notable social and economic changes over the next decade. About 68.9 percent expect considerable changes, and 40.3 percent foresee these changes as broadly positive for society as a whole.
Nevertheless, pessimism surfaces when respondents consider specific trends. Forty-four point five percent anticipate higher unemployment in Spain, while sixty-eight point one percent expect greater social and economic disparities. Projections of rising crime and increased drug use are 54.3 percent and 47.3 percent respectively.
Regarding family life, fifty-five point six percent expect weaker family ties, and more than six in ten foresee higher rates of separation and divorce. Fewer births are anticipated by 74.2 percent, with a large share of the population expecting greater loneliness and isolation at 81.3 percent.
Perceptions of environmental degradation remain high, with sixty-two point three percent predicting a worsening environment. They also foresee more cancer deaths at 42.4 percent, and a substantial increase in automation with robots potentially replacing workers at 84.3 percent. The likelihood of serious epidemics, including COVID-19, is seen by 40.9 percent of respondents.
More materialism and less religious belief
Looking ahead to the religious and cultural landscape, sixty-four percent of participants expect a decline in religious belief over the next decade, while interest in material possessions rises for about 59.4 percent. The study also notes a perception that women will hold more positions of responsibility, at 80.5 percent, and that people with disabilities will experience greater social integration, at 71.4 percent. A sense of increased sexual freedom is reported by 64.4 percent, accompanied by concerns about rising violence, at 58.5 percent.
On a global scale, Spaniards anticipate sharper inequality between rich and poor countries (64.1 percent), more wars and international conflicts (44.8 percent), and a large rise in migration from poorer to wealthier nations, at 72.1 percent.
CIS also surveyed opinions on the use of industrial robots and automated systems. A strong 78.1 percent believe their use will expand considerably in the future, while 46.4 percent fear this could lead to higher unemployment.
The objects that best symbolize the current era for Spaniards include mobile phones and smartphones, cited by 47.4 percent, followed by computers or laptops at 13.6 percent.