Survey shows fewer treehuggers among young Australians
by TreeHugger on 05.19.05
A survey of 55,000 Australians shows that the younger generation is not as green as the old one. They care less about recycling and don't feel that action to avoid serious environmental damage is urgent. One possible explanation for this depressing news is, despite the fact that scientific information on the degradation of water, air and land is more accessible than ever, that Oz politicians – starting with Prime Minister John Howard - and the media have constantly downplayed environmental threats (including global warming). Could it also be a US influence (on culture and public policy)? Any Australian treehugger could tell us whether he/she thinks the study is accurate and represents the reality of their country? ::Youth care less about environment: study [by MGR]
I'm not sure about the US influence on culture in this area, however we do have a government who represent environmental groups as expressing extreme views, having unrealistic expectations "of ordinary hard-working Australians" and being impossible to negotiate with.
Recently we have seen a threat to the tax deductible status of donations to environmental groups. http://emunews.murdoch.edu.au/health12.htm
While younger people seem to have improving levels of awareness on issues like water conservation, recycling and protecting endangered animals, I think their is far less awareness of energy and resources use. Perhaps notions of sustainability resonate less with people to whom the future seems so far away?
As a young Australian, having just turned 19, I can vouch for that also. Although more aware of these issues; I think many of them are downplayed in our media despite Australia experiencing some of the most notable and devestating changes in weather in the world.
You only need to google Tasmania Iceberg" to realise how unimportant major happenings such as B15A (which is apparently visible on the horizon from some parts of tasmania such is it's size) really are considered in our press. [You'll find more articles on iceberg lettuce!]
Didn't realise my links would be stripped;
B15A: http://www.abc.net.au/perth/stories/s1288962.htm
I live in the USA and work in advertising - and recently we received the lastest Youth Intelligence marketing survey called The Cassandra Report. It's a paid service, but here's some basic info: http://www.trendcentral.com/trends/trendcat.asp?tcCatId=5
In this new survey, as well as the last one 6 months ago, American youth who were intereviewed for this survey - both "trendsetters" (early adopters) and "mainstream" samples - are indicating a rising interest in organics, sustainable businesses, responsible businesses, and DIY/craft related activities.
As we can see by recent announcements in the energy world, a tipping point has also been reached in the business community regarding renewable energy sources (witness: Warren Buffet buying a West Coast electricity provider; Bush visiting a biodeisel plant; Porche announcing its first hybrid car; the Apollo Project; the “green tag” project by Krystal Planet; etc etc).
This bodes well for any of you with Treehugger businesses.
The main thing we all need to work on now is Treehugger Media/PR/punditry, to get this info out to the masses via TV, net, radio, papers.
Think positive people!