The environmental problems that Chinese people worry the most about are smog, water pollution and heavy metal pollution, a survey led by the Environmental Protection Ministry revealed on Thursday.

More than 80 percent of those polled expressed their deep concerns about the country's environmental problems. About 46 percent knew the exact date of the World Environment Day and the same percentage knew the national phone number to report environmental illegal behaviors.

People complain about severe environmental pollution, but when they are asked to take part, whether through their own action or with their own money, to make real changes, many are not willing to, said Zhou Hongchun, a researcher at the Development Research Center of the State Council, on Thursday.

The survey also revealed that more than 70 percent of those polled believe it is the government and environmental departments' responsibility to protect the environment.

The survey also revealed that a person's education level determined how much they know about the environment. Urban residents with a higher education level knew more than rural residents.

The research, conducted by the China Environmental Culture Promotion Association, began on July 2013 and took over a year to complete. More than 20,000 questionnaires from 50 cities and regions were collected.