Climate Change Is A Daily Worry For Just Under Half Of Young New Yorkers

NEW YORK, July 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- A new poll launched by MS Amlin - the specialist global (re)insurer - reveals that just under half (46%) of New Yorkers aged 18-35 (equating to almost two million¹ people) worry about climate change on a daily basis. These concerns fall just below terrorism (50%) and ahead of daily worries about employment prospects (41%) and the global economy (39%).

The poll of over 1,000 18 to 35-year-olds was commissioned as team MS Amlin Andretti drives into Brooklyn for the City's first fully-electric single-seater racing series on July 15 and 16. Behind the exhilarating street race, there is a serious message: New Yorkers can help alleviate the repercussions of climate change by adopting clean tech in their lives, and supporting events, such as Formula E, which promote alternative fuel sources and low emission transport.

According to the poll, the climate change issues that young New Yorkers worry about most are extreme weather events (64%) and rising sea/flood levels (also 64%), while a similar number (61%) worry about increased pollution. Many (27%) admitted climate change is already having a big impact on their lives, and a majority (63%) say it will have a big impact on the way we all live in the future.

MS Amlin says its poll reveals how committed young New Yorkers are to tackling climate change on a personal level. The majority (90%) said they have already taken action to help tackle their personal contribution to climate change while only 10% are doing nothing. Travel and lifestyle shifts are the biggest changes being made: two thirds (66%) walk, cycle or use public transport to reduce their personal contribution to climate change; over half (53%) are trying to reduce personal and family energy consumption, and over a quarter (26%) have made a conscious decision not to own a car.

Commenting on the findings, Adrian Britten, MS Amlin's Global Director of Communication, said: "MS Amlin is proud to be participating in the inaugural Formula E Brooklyn race - it shows that sustainable motoring can also be thrilling motoring. Our survey of young New Yorkers reveals that early adopters of clean tech are finding their own routes to tackle climate change - be that solar panels, smart purchasing of power or considering an electric vehicle at home. These New Yorkers are helping to support their city in its quest to keep residents safe and sea levels at bay. This weekend's ePrix is set to be exhilarating, and team MS Amlin Andretti can't wait to race the streets of New York City."

Car manufacturing and electric car technology in the future:

• Car manufacturers committed to Formula E in 2019 include: Renault, Citroen, Mahindra, Audi, Jaguar, Farraday Future, BMW, Mercedes Benz
• Volvo has just announced it will cease manufacturing combustion engine-only vehicles altogether by 2019.
• France has announced that, as part of its renewed commitment to the Paris climate deal, the country is set to ban the sale of any car that uses petrol or diesel fuel by 2040.

MS Amlin and Formula E
The MS Amlin Andretti driving team sponsorship was created to help increase consumer adoption of alternative fuel sources for transport solutions by making them more compelling and exciting through Formula E.  MS Amlin recognises that climate change challenges the traditional insurance model, as it makes future events less predictable. The global insurer believes the impact of climate change will increase as populations migrate to urban areas in coastal zones and river plains that are threatened by flooding. As coastal cities thrive and riverside economies continue to develop, wealth increases which leads to higher-value assets and results in bigger losses when weather-related events occur.

Climate change – momentum
Sea levels at the Battery have risen by 20cm since the 1950s, increasing losses caused by Superstorm Sandy by 30%.  Experts predict that a rise in sea level of one metre could mean that what is called a '100 year flood event' will happen 200 times more often in New York. In 2012, 94% of global insured weather losses occurred in North America. The number of registered weather events has tripled since the 1980s but the number of geophysical events such as earthquakes has remained constant.  Losses from global catastrophes are increasing – nine in 10 of the most costly floods have occurred in the past 10 years e.g. the 2011 Thailand floods cost an estimated $15-20billion and impacted the supply chains of ford, Toyota, Dell Cisco and Honda.

About MS Amlin:

MS Amlin is a leading insurer and reinsurer, part of the global top-10 insurance group MS&AD, with operations in the Lloyd's, UK, Continental European and Bermudian markets. With a 300-year record and more than 2,400 people in 26 locations worldwide, we deliver continuity for businesses facing the most complex and demanding risks. Our role places us at the forefront of the Property & Casualty, Marine & Aviation and Reinsurance markets. We are experts in underwriting, with both technical capability and deep knowledge of the areas we insure. Our claims service aims to set the industry reference point for quality, with efficient, fair and timely claims management.

¹ According to suburbanstats.org, 4,329,875 people aged 18-34 live in New York City, and 46 per cent of 4,329,875 = 1,991,743

SOURCE MS Amlin