The majority of those in the U.S. say that they are paying attention to environmental issues, but only three in ten or fewer are paying a “great deal” of attention to these issues, including air pollution (31%), water pollution (30%), and water shortages (29%). About one-quarter (25%) say they pay a great deal of attention to combating global warming. Only two in ten adults say they pay a great deal of attention to the extinction of certain species (21%), deforestation (21%) and reducing their carbon footprint (20%).

Major Findings:

• Asked which two issues the government should make top priority, respondents said air pollution (42%), water pollution (40%), global warming (34%), water shortages (34%), reducing Americans’ carbon footprint (18%), deforestation (16%), and the extinction of certain species (11%).
• With respect to making their lifestyle more environmentally sustainable, 48% have done something, 27% have not, and 26% weren’t sure.
• Last year 53% had made changes to their lifestyle to be more environmentally sustainable while 25% had not, and 22% were not sure.
• Specific acts of environmental sustainability include recycling (85%), paying bills online (71%), buying more local goods (53%), bringing bags to stores (51%), buying green household products (50%), installing resource friendly appliances (39%), buying more used products (37%), discontinuing use of plastic water bottles (37%), composting (27%), and buying a hybrid car (5%).

The depressed economy has been causing people to make decisions based on finances instead of choosing more environmentally sustainable practices, as seen in the small drop in people who say they are making these changes in their lifestyles. However, as the economy improves the number of people making these changes is anticipated to grow.