Young Vs Old: Who are the greenest citizens?

With the worldwide war on plastic pollution being brought to the fore through Earth Day on 22 April, Pureprofile conducted a nationally-representative survey to gage how Australians really feel about environmental issues.

The results revealed a very different mindset between the younger and older generations, with younger citizens being much more “green-aware”: 93 percent of respondents aged 18-24 believe that our behaviour affects climate change, compared to only 71 percent of over 65s.

Despite the younger generation being more aware of climate change and how this is linked to our behaviour, it appears their support is more tokenistic, with the older age groups most likely to make daily efforts to stay green.

Respondents aged 65+ are the most likely age group to use reusable bags for groceries and shopping (85 percent), use solar power (39 percent) and cease the use of aerosols (18 percent). Respondents aged 55-64 are the most likely age group to recycle (95 percent), use less water (61 percent), compost (42 percent) and make their home more energy efficient, such as less electricity usage (74 percent).

Despite trailing behind the older generations when it comes to daily efforts to reduce energy usage, recycle and police the plastic, the younger do make conscious efforts in other areas. Those aged 25-34 are the most likely age group to stop eating meat or go vegan for the sake of the environment (12 percent), while those aged 18-24 are the most likely to use greener modes of transport, such as cycling, walking or carpooling (29 percent).

Overall, men just pip the women to take the title of the “greenest gender”, with 50 percent saying they actively do what they can for the environment, compared to 46 percent of women. Despite that, overall more women (85 percent) than men (83 percent) are believers that human behaviour has an impact on climate change.

Nationally, the top initiatives that Australians undertake to support the environment are:

1. Recycle (90%)
2. Use reusable bags for groceries/shopping (75%)
3. Make the home more energy efficient, such as less electricity usage (57%)
4. Use less water (54%)
5. Use solar power (30%)
6. Compost (30%)
7. Use greener modes of transport, such as cycling, walking or carpooling (24%)
8. Stop using aerosols (18%)
9. Stop eating meat / go vegan (6%)