Eco-cynics and Green Ego-centrics

20th November 2007

The Eco Attitudes report canvassed opinion around the UK on a range of eco topics. The report found that whilst over half (57%) believe a difference can be made if everyone makes the effort, most people (78%) don’t think everyone is making the effort. There are also quite a number of us who don’t believe that taking any of these measures will make any difference at all (15%).

Other headline findings include:

Men are the worst eco cynics with a third (34%) thinking too much attention is given to eco issues, compared to a fifth (22%) of women; a further fifth (19%) of men don’t believe small changes make a difference, compared to 11% of women.

Men scored worse than women on every count of eco behaviour including poor recycling, not buying sustainable materials or using eco light bulbs, turning up the heating, using a high setting on the washing machine and over-filling the kettle.

One in ten of us (9%) recycle household rubbish because it’s fashionable and 18% exaggerate their eco friendliness because it’s fashionable.

Brits are suffering from eco fatigue – over a quarter(28%) are tired of the attention given to eco issues and just under a quarter (23%) admit to being bored by eco news.

Only 12% of people believe green energy suppliers deliver on their claims.

Half (48%) don’t know what the Energy Performance Certificate is.

Oliver Heath, the Ideal Home Show’s eco-guru said, “People should have more confidence in the measures we’re all making. Every little really does help which is why I’m working with the Ideal Home Show to encourage people to think about their behaviour at home and make those small changes.”

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