Assessing Support for Policy Actions With Co-Benefits for Climate Change and Physical Activity in Canada

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Environmental Science
• Policy Studies

Background:

• Growing calls to address the links between physical (in)activity and the climate crisis.
• Need for policy actions with co-benefits for physical activity and climate change mitigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate public support for policy actions promoting physical activity and mitigating climate change.

Main Methods:

• Survey of 2507 Canadian adults (2023) using Angus Reid Forum.
• Binary logistic regressions analyzing support for 8 policy items.
• Covariates included demographics, physical activity, income, urbanicity, climate anxiety, and attitudes.

Main Results:

• High public support (71%-85%) for all policy actions.
• Meeting physical activity guidelines, higher income, and climate change experience linked to greater support.
• Weighted data reflected national gender, age, and regional composition.

Conclusions:

• Majority of Canadians support policies linking physical activity and climate action.
• National campaigns should raise awareness of the bidirectional relationship.
• Campaigns must consider demographic variations in policy support.