The Environment… Are We Doing All We Can?

A nationwide poll regarding the environment shows that the majority of U.S. adults believe their personal actions are significant for protecting the environment, but slightly more than half have not heard of “environmental sustainability.” Other behaviors related to the environment were also covered in this study.

About 72% of U.S. adults believe that their personal actions are significant for the environment, while 22% do not. Women are more likely than men (77% vs. 67%) to believe that their actions are significant, while Republicans (63%) are less likely than Democrats (78%) or Independents (77%) to think similarly.

More than half (58%) of adults say they have not heard the phrase, “environmental sustainability,” while 42% say they have. By age, 46% of Echo Boomers (18-31) and Gen Xers (32-43) have heard the phase, compared with only 30% of Matures (63+).

Just over half (53%) of Americans have done something to make their lifestyle more environmentally sustainable, while 25% have not. Education appears to be somewhat related; 46% with a high school education or less have changed their habits, compared with 65% of those with a post-graduate degree.

Recycling is the most frequent change that people have made to their lifestyles (91%); 73% pay bills online or receive paperless statements. In addition, 49% buy more locally produced food or goods, 47% buy green household products, and 46% have installed resource friendly appliances. Others no longer purchase plastic water bottles (30%), while 16% commute to work via means other than by car, 16% carpool, 4% change light bulbs, and 3% have bought a hybrid car.