Slovaks less interested in environment than EU average

Slovaks show far less interest in the environment than people in other European Union countries, Ingrid Ludvikova from the European Commission Representation in Slovakia said on Tuesday, citing a recent survey of Eurobarometer.

"While 95 percent of EU citizens claimed that environmental protection is important for them, only 61 percent of Slovaks shared their opinion," said Ludvikova.

Around three-fourths of EU citizens believed that environmental problems have a direct impact on their daily lives. They were concerned mostly about air pollution (56 percent) and water pollution (50 percent).

Meanwhile, Slovaks complained mainly about increasing amounts of waste (55 percent) and air pollution (53 percent). Around 78 percent of Slovaks said they recycled waste in the past month. Their main priorities in protection of the environment were recycling, reduction of food waste and reduction of energy consumption.

According to Ludvikova, 43 percent of Slovaks believe that the most efficient method of combating environmental problems would be the introduction of tougher sanctions against those who violate the rules.