Forty years after the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, the wealthiest 10% of US households reveal the extent of their commitment to a "green" lifestyle in a new survey by the American Affluence Research Center.
Top 10 findings:
- 90% recycle regularly
- 56% believe they are doing their part to help the environment
- About 3 in 10 feel they should be doing more to help the environment
- 70% report using energy efficient light bulbs and/or other products to reduce energy consumption
- 30% purchase organic foods whenever they are an option.
- Only 6% buy fashions that use organic materials
- A third of the respondents currently own none of the 7 eco-friendly products listed
- Most commonly owned "green" items are compact fluorescent light bulbs (45%), low flow toilets or faucets (44%), and EnergyStar appliances (40%). Green cleaning products (27%) was the only other item owned by more than 10% of the respondents
- Half of the respondents do not expect to buy any of the 7 listed "green" products during the next five years. The most frequently anticipated purchases are a hybrid automobile (24%) and EnergyStar appliances (22%)
- Two-thirds have done none of the 3 listed eco-friendly activities during the past 5 years. The most frequently mentioned (31%) activity was the purchase of hormone-free meat, dairy, or produce.
- Almost 8 of 10 respondents do not anticipate doing any of the 3 listed activities during the next 5 years. The most frequently anticipated activity (15%) is an eco-friendly vacation or resort.
More details can be found on the American Affluence Research Center website.
Happy Earth Day!
