The survey, carried out by Forestry Commission Scotland, included over 1,000 interviews to find out what people in Scotland think about different aspects of forestry.
For the first time, the interviews probed into more detail on perceptions of forestry and climate change.
Key findings related to climate change were:
nearly 75 per cent agreed that "trees are good because they remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in wood.";
almost 90 per cent of those interviewed want to see a lot more trees planted across Scotland;
nearly 60 per cent of interviewees believe that tackling climate change is a good reason for the government to support forestry;
80 per cent disagreed with the notion "that there is nothing that anyone can do that would make a difference" when it comes to managing our forests in response to climate change;
and just over half of those interviewed believed that using wood for fuel is better for climate change than using oil and gas.
Commenting on the survey, Dominic Driver, Social Policy Advisor for Forestry Commission Scotland said:
"Climate change is the most serious environmental threat facing the planet. Forests and woodlands have an important part to play in this battle as trees are nature's green lungs - they lock up carbon and release oxygen into the atmosphere. They also have a key role in helping Scotland adapt to our changing climate, for example by establishing woodland networks in which plants and animals can ‘migrate’ to their favoured conditions, or by helping to reduce the impacts of flooding.
"Tree planting alone will never solve climate change but it has an important role on many fronts. The growing use of woodfuel as a substitute for oil and gas is a market which is expanding but we need to build on this and going by the survey's results, increase the awareness of its benefits to the Scottish population and businesses."
"It's good to see that we in Scotland are clearly making the connection between the importance of trees and climate change and that overall, 90 per cent of those interviewed were able to select a good reason to support forestry with public money. It is also clear that people want to see more tree planting and that they feel good forest management contributes towards reducing the affects of climate change.
The Scottish Public Opinion of Forestry Survey is part of the UK-wide public opinion research carried out on forestry. The survey is carried out every two years by the Forestry Commission and highlights differences by geographical regions, socio-demographic characteristics and, new to the 2007 survey, by deprivation. The questions largely follow the same patterns in previous years but in the 2007 survey new questions on the relationship between forestry and climate change, woodfuel and forest management were added. The results assist the Commission with the formulation and delivery of forestry policies. The full survey can be found by logging on to www.forestry.gov.uk/statistics.
The results are published just days before a major UK conference on forests and climate change. With deforestation accounting for almost 20 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions - more than the whole of the transport sector - sustainable forest management can play a major part in combating climate change. The Forestry Commission has aimed this international event in London next week primarily at policy makers in the forestry, environment, and energy sectors. They hope to raise the role forests can play in mitigating climate change, and to encourage people to plan ahead for forests in the UK that can survive inevitable changes in our climate.
Notes to news editors
1. The Forestry Commission will host a major conference: 'Forests and Climate Change - A Convenient Truth?' in Piccadilly, London on 21 November. The conference will, explore the important interaction between the world's forests and look at solutions for mitigation and adaptation. Media wishing to attend this event should contact Colin Morton on 07771 730511.
2. Forestry Commission Scotland serves as the Scottish Government's forestry department. It manages 666,000 hectares of national forest land for multiple benefits, including nature conservation, public recreation, timber production, and rural and community development; supports other woodland owners with grants, felling licences, advice and regulation; promotes the benefits of forests and forestry; and advises Ministers on forestry policy.
3. Media enquiries to Claire Martin, Forestry Commission Scotland press office 0131 314 6506.