Greendex, Consumer Choice And The Environment
National Geographic identifies food consumption trends for the U.S. compared with other major countries like China, Brazil, and Canada, in an effort to measure and compare the sustainability of consumer choices in 14 countries. The food sustainability score is achieved by weighing a variety of factors, most importantly the consumption of meat and seafood, fruit and vegetables, and locally grown foods. The report also covers related items such as knowledge and awareness of environmental issues.
National Geographic’s first piece of advice to consumers who want to reduce their personal Greendex scores includes “eating less meat, more locally produced foods, more fruits and vegetables, and drinking less bottled water.”
Some highlights from the report:
- Nearly half of those in India (47%) and China (48%) consume locally grown foods daily, compared with only 5-6% of those in France, Japan, Great Britain, and the U.S.
- Beef consumption is more frequent in Brazil (16% consume it daily) and significantly lower in India, where 72% say they “never” eat beef.
- Fish and seafood consumption is highest in Japan, China, Spain, and relatively lower in Brazil, Hungary, and India.
- National Geographic gives India the highest “Consumer Greendex” ranking for food sustainability, with a score of 72 that makes India clearly number one.
- The U.S., Mexico, and Japan make up the bottom three when it comes to food sustainability, out of the 14 ranked countries.
- Food is in the only area of the Greendex in which U.S. consumers did not rank last of the countries listed (other areas: housing, transportation, consumer goods).