A global survey conducted by the National Geographic Society has revealed that although Australians believe climate change to be the biggest problem facing our nation, we are less than willing to do much about it. A comparison of individuals’ behaviours in four key areas  -housing, transportation, food and consumer goods-, the survey, called Greendex found that consumers in the developing world exhibit far more environmentally sustainable lifestyles than those in industrialised nations.

India and Brazil ranked equal first for the smallest footprint per capita with Australia coming in equal seventh, alongside Germany and Britain. The US received the least sustainable ranking out of the 14 major developed and developing countries included in the survey.

According to the Greendex findings Australian consumers’ ranking is, “driven in part by their large household footprints and higher levels of car ownership and solo driving.” Over 90 percent of Australian’s surveyed possessed one or more vehicles per household and 60 percent drove alone on a daily basis; almost one third lived in a house with 9 rooms or more and 70 percent had air conditioning.

Only 22 percent of surveyed Australians reported using public transport at least once a week, one of the lowest scores. However in terms of our recycling habits we were equal first with Canada – 59 percent of respondents said they recycled waste- and the Greendex report stated that, “Australians do, however exhibit more responsible behaviours than many others surveyed in terms of water use and energy-saving appliances.”

Serving as a baseline for future reports that will track changes in consumer environmental impact, the survey found that although consumers in the developing world scored highest on sustainable lifestyles, they also, “expressed a desire for increased consumption and believe that people in all nations should have the opportunity to live the lifestyles of the wealthiest nations.” Researchers say that low scores amongst industrialised nations demonstrate the amount of work that is required to improve environmental attitudes and the burgeoning economies of the developing world present serious concerns.

Results from the Greendex Survey:

References

• Handwerk, B. 'Brazil, India’s Citizens are greatest, Survey Finds,' National Geographic News, May 7 2008
• Morton, A. 'Aussies a middling shade of green,' The Age, May 8 2008
• 'Aussies have big climate impact: survey,' Sydney Morning Herald, May 8 2008