Popularity should not be the prime motivation for a politician - good to see one standing up for what he thinks is right. I don't know how long he has before the next elections, but hopefully he will have persuaded enough of the population to agree with him by then for it not to be a problem. The big thing is not to be too far ahead of the populous!
I think that 'green' issues are gaining popularity quite fast as it happens - folks can see what we are doing and don't want their children to have to suffer a a result....