... While Americans Go Green
March 30 2006
Soaring energy prices, faster global warming, news about rising CO2 levels and pollution, and rapid deforestation: all these may explain why 90% of Americans are concerned about the future of the environment, according to the latest GMIPoll.
GMI surveyed 9,000 online consumers in nine countries. It found more consumers in the USA and globally embracing alternative energy to decrease the strain on the environment and dependency on fossil fuel, as well as incorporating green habits into their daily routine.
The biggest concerns amongst Americans include the following:
- Pollution of lakes, rivers and reservoirs (85%)
- Air pollution (82%)
- Using up the country's natural resources (79%)
- Contamination of soil and water by toxic waste (78%).
As most of the drinking water in the USA comes from lakes and reservoirs, it is not a surprise that Americans are worried about pollution in this area. Nearly 56% of respondents are somewhat or very concerned about the possibility of running out of clean, drinkable water in their lifetime.
Separately, the strong concern over air pollution, with the primary sources caused by motor vehicle exhaust and industrial emissions, may be a reason why Americans are looking at alternative energy resources as a solution to this environmental problem and to the country's dependency on foreign oil.
The poll found that Americans place a very high value on alternative energy sources, especially solar, which respondents feel is the most viable in the next five years. When asked the best ways to decrease dependency on foreign oil, 88% of respondents indicated that buying vehicles that use alternative fuels is somewhat or most effective, while 89% of Americans noted that investing in alternative energy is somewhat or most effective. This is compared with other choices, such as using public transportation, which was embraced by only 70% of American respondents.
While politicians and/or industrialists say that a choice must be made between a healthy job economy and a healthy environment, Americans disagree. In fact, 49.4% of respondents slightly or strongly disagree that low prices and more jobs today are more important than protecting the environment for the future (vs. 15.9% who slightly agree and 5.5% who strongly agree).
This may be the reason why Americans are willing to spend more money on some green products. According to the poll, in the past 12 months, nearly half (49%) of respondents bought toilet paper or kitchen towels made from recycled paper regularly, while close to 70% use lower energy light bulbs regularly despite the higher cost. Additionally, respondents indicated that they incorporate other green practices in the home on a regular basis: 62% recycle cardboard, glass or plastic containers, 67% purposely cut down on the amount of electricity/gas their household uses and 53% cut down on the use of water.
Furthermore, a fair percentage of Americans are investing in organic lines with close to 37% indicating that they bought organic food a fair or great amount in the past 12 months. Additionally, 40% of respondents indicate that they avoid buying products whose packaging, when disposed of, causes potential harm to wildlife.
GMI is online at
www.gmi-mr.com and
www.gmipoll.com
All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.
