In her recent article in Spirituality and Health Magazine, Betsy Robinson discusses the results of a study that assessed people’s level of concern for the environment. The results are astounding. We “sophisticated” folks in “developed” nations apparently care far less than our peers in developing countries. And our intentions are interesting. Which shade of green are you?
Eco-Centrics / 13%
High-income, high-education urbanites who actively do their part to protect and improve the environment.
Respectful Stewards / 10%
Urban Hispanics whose culture sees earth as the giver of life; they buy green and pay more for it.
Proud Traditionalists / 14%
Rural Midwesterners with a local focus; they’re skeptical about big company claims but run environmentally responsible homes with eco-friendly products.
Frugal Earth Mothers / 17%
Prudent, lower-income, rural mothers who practice ecology for money saving.
Skeptical Individualists / 13% Highly educated, high-income urban males on urban coasts; they’re skeptical about green initiatives, not community or spiritually focused, believe in global warming.
Eco-Chic / 14%
Young adults who see green as something hip; they’re impulse buyers, unwilling to repeatedly buy green.
Green Naives / 11%
Young, low-income singles, unconcerned about the environment.
Eco-Villains / 7%
Midwestern, middle-income men in small/midsized metro areas who don’t believe in global warming or environmentalism.
Other?
Your comments and feedback are greatly appreciated.
It’s an interesting list. However, I find some of the numbers a bit hard to believe. I think a lot of the opposition comes from some derivation of “eco-villains”: middle-aged, conservative, free-market-toting, non-believers – more than 7%. The recent Gallup poll alone indicated that 41% of Americans think global warming is exaggerated.
It seems like perhaps the group with the strongest voice is not represented. True greenies–the evolution of hippies that have combined a love for the planet with the ammunition of education and figures. People that believe that putting the environment first is appropriate (above capitalism, above excess possessions, above profitability). As a group the are willing to sacrifice more than the rest of us to reach their goals.
I would think I fall into something close to the “respectful steward” category.
Thank you for your comment. This study was only of 2200 people, so a much more limited sample than Gallup. But interesting.
I like your analysis of true greenies and hope that it is a growing group. “Necessity is the mother of invention.”