Is The Environment Just Another Hype?
March 9, 2007 by Noel
Filed under Green Living
Mintel, a market research company, looks into the matter through a study. The results did show that some 20% of the total British respondents are actually apathetic about this issue and other environmental concerns. Also, it was disclosed that 17% say that they now are in “green overload” and in the process, they have become cynical. 23% did also share that they were quite confused about the whole issue and now they do not know what exactly should they do to contribute to a better situation.
Angela Hughes is the consumer research manager at Mintel and she analyses, “There have been an increasing number of media reports highlighting the complexities of environmental concerns and the difficulties that operators in the market face. But our research shows that for many consumers too much information and mixed messages are causing them simply to ’switch off’.”
[Via Edie News Center]
[Image from Langstone Harbour Board]
This doesn’t surprise me at all. I just have to look around to see people I know who would sooner ignore the problem than do anything about it.
It still astonishes me that despite all the reports, all the pressure there are still people out there that thing we are not causing the world to heat up.
I don’t think it’s hype at all — one proof for me is the increase in environnment-related allergies and diseases in the US and other countries that need to work more on emissions control, etc.
However, I don’t blame people for tuning out. It’s so hard to sift through all the information, not to mention figuring out who to trust. There’s no one definitive, reliable source of information and constantly reading and analyzing and synthesizing what’s out there is enough to drive a person crazy.
good point stef. And sometimes, consumer product manufacturers “over sell” their “green” products. Too much information also creates confusion.
I guess some of these manufacturers play the “my product is greener than yours” kind of marketing strategy.
But I think if being “green” will result to further savings to a household, people will still buy into the green revolution.