A vast majority of the Australian population want the threat of global warming to be taken more seriously, according to a new survey.

The Climate of the Nation 2015 survey found 63 per cent of people thought the issue should be given more weight, a six per cent rise since last year.

“The government and the opposition have an opportunity to join mainstream Australian attitudes with climate commitments and policies, which can limit carbon pollution, encourage renewable energy and clean up our energy system,” The Climate Institute chief executive John Connor said in a statement.

• Hockey defends $14,000 work trip with family to Perth
• Senate inquiry says turbines ‘dangerous’
• Coal mine plan overturned 

Generation Y was most in favour, with 70 per cent of those between 18-34 believing more needs to be done to prevent climate change.

More than 1000 people were surveyed by Galaxy for the poll, in which 84 per cent of respondents named solar energy as being in their top three power sources.

Both gas and nuclear power suffered a seven per cent drop in support, to 21 and 13 per cent respectively.

But not everyone was critical of the government’s policies, the survey reported.

Just over half said the government should base its carbon reduction target on science rather than other nation’s policies.

Almost half of respondents agreed that Labor’s carbon policies would “just increase electricity prices and not do much about pollution”.

The Abbott government will announce its future emissions target this week.