Well, our readers have spoken – and if they’re representative of the wider NZ voting public, then politicians wanting the popular vote may be best served avoiding campaigning on climate and environment issues.

Our last poll asked the question: “Will the climate/environment affect how I vote this year?” and was aimed at guaging how we as a country rated the issues in terms of importance in the upcoming general election.

57% percent of readers who responded said that the issue wouldn’t affect their voting “at all”, while nearly a quarter ranked it as the “most important issue” in the election.

Our readers left some interesting comments below the poll, with one guest writing:

“The entire planet has shown to have these regular major swings in climate while I believe it’s inevitable that will happen we are just speedup the process.”

While another said:

“I would say the policies of those parties regarding climate change, not the climate itself, are what will influence my vote.”

It’s an interesting topic, and one that is sure to attract plenty of lively debate and discussion in the weeks leading up to the election this year.

1011 people voted in the poll.

WeatherWatch.co.nz expects a number of politicians will be interested in the results of this poll, which is fairly polarising.

THE POLL RESULTS:
Will the climate/environment affect how I vote in the 2014 General Election 

Yes – it’s the most important issue:   24%
Yes – it’s somewhat important:           19%
                                      (Yes total: 42%)
No – Not at all:                                           57% 

– WeatherWatch.co.nz