You recycle, you buy green and organic when you can, maybe you drive an energy efficient car, but are you really doing all you can to help the environment?
According to a recent poll by green energy provider, Bullfrog Power, if you’re like most Canadians, then the answer is probably no.
Bullfrog, in partnership with Environics Research Group, surveyed a representative sample of 2,000 Canadians adults on their behaviours and attitudes towards the environment.
The startling truth? Three quarters of respondents said they felt they could do more for the environment, while only 24 percent said they do absolutely everything they can. A final two percent admitted to apathy.
Josephine Coombe, Bullfrog’s Vice President of Residential Service, says raising awareness of these attitudes is the first step to change.
“Canadians are increasingly aware that they can do more for the environment. It’s essential to monitor the pulse of change and to identify where we need to take time to educate, encourage and evolve our efforts,” says Josephine.
With that in mind, the next hurdle is to get youth involved. Despite the common perception of young people as outspoken environmentalists, Bullfrog found that the 18-29 demographic is leaving environmental responsibility to their parents and 24 percent only occasionally consider how they can help.
Meanwhile, environmental concern among Baby Boomers is growing. Of those surveyed, 30 percent said they were more concerned than they were a year ago.
“It’s no longer the next generation’s problem,” says Ed Whittingham, Executive Director of the Pembina Institute, an environmental think tank. “Canadians need to make changes to their everyday lifestyles now if we’re to have a better environmental future and maintain our comfortable standard of living.”
So what can you do at home to step in the right direction? Bullfrog suggests starting with small steps like taking public transportation, switching to energy efficient lighting and recycling more often.
