Convince public on climate to save planet: experts

By Nina Chestney

LONDON (Reuters) - The public needs to be convinced about the threat of climate change so governments are under pressure to adopt strong policies and extend a U.N. pact to fight climate change in Copenhagen this December, experts say.

Persuading the public that the long-term effects of climate change could be averted by action now should be a top priority, psychology experts said at a climate change psychology conference in London this week.

Just two more high-level meetings of ministers from over 190 countries are scheduled before a climate summit in Copenhagen on December 7-18, and they are still haggling over a new deal.

"Progress can sometimes happen without much public involvement but climate change is not one of those issues," said Paul Stern of the U.S. National Research Council, which advises the U.S. government on issues such as health and science.

Scientists say rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, from greater fossil fuel use, mass deforestation and increased transportation, will lead not only to flooding, but widespread drought, famine and disease, especially in poor countries.

INCREASE CONCERN

Statistics have shown that people's interest in and understanding of climate change in certain countries has fallen recently, partly because the economic crisis has made the environment less of a priority.

Less than half of Britons believe climate change will affect them during their lifetime and less than a fifth think it will impact their children, a UK government survey found this month.