xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Mike Spranger, Asst. Director for Marine Advisory Services Washington Sea Grant Program, University of Washington, 3716 Brooklyn Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105 206-685-9261 (telephone) 206-685-0380 (fax) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
ADVANCE/ WASHINGTON, April 20 /PRNewswire/ --
Teenagers and baby boomers agree that government and industry are falling short of their environmental obligations and that time is running out to protect the Earth from permanent environmental damage. A majority of both generations also expect environmental conditions around the world to deteriorate over the next 25 years, according to the EarthView survey, a new national opinion poll released today.
Among other findings, both generations say they will reach into their own pockets if that's what it takes to guarantee clean air and water. Both teens and boomers also believe technological advances will help solve environmental problems.
According to economist and historian Neil Howe, coauthor of Generations and The Fourth Turning, "This research shows teens in the late 1990s are talking about mobilizing society to overcome large-scale challenges affecting their future, like the environment, and are showing rising optimism about their generation's ability to lead the charge." Howe is well known for his analysis and commentary on the lifecycle attitudes of America's generations.
The EarthView survey, jointly commissioned by National 4-H Council and Honda, was designed to compare environmental attitudes among today's youths with those who were teenagers or young adults at the time of the first Earth Day in 1970. The survey is a component of 4-H's Environmental Stewardship program that unites young people and adults in partnerships to address environmental issues in communities across the country. Honda has supported the 4-H Environmental Stewardship program for nearly a decade.
"Teens are as committed to the environment as boomers ever were," said Howe, "though their choice of issues has shifted a bit to more emphasis on global warming and biodiversity, less on smog and overpopulation. This research rejects the old stereotype of apolitical kids who think the environment was just a personal, voluntary thing. In the late 1990s, we're seeing new teens with a whole new attitude."
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More than three-quarters of today's teenagers (77 percent) and about two- thirds of boomers (67 percent) say time is running out to prevent permanent damage to the world's air and water. Six of ten teens and 53 percent of boomers believe the world's environment will worsen over the next 20-25 years; about a quarter of both groups say it will stay the same and fewer than 20 percent of both generations expect improvement.
When asked about conditions in the United States overall, just 31 percent of teens and 36 percent of boomers believe conditions are excellent or good, and the ratings for the international environment are even lower. Just 20 percent of teens and 15 percent of boomers think the world's environment is in good shape. However, their assessment brightens somewhat when they turn their thoughts homeward. Six of ten of both groups rate environmental conditions in their home community as "excellent" or "good."
"The relative optimism about local conditions shows that both teens and adults >believe individual actions can make a difference," said Jackie Davis- Manigaulte, director of the Cornell University Cooperative Extension-NYC's team coordinator for the 4-H Far Rockaway Environmental Youth (FREY) group.
Formed to raise awareness of environmental problems in the Jamaica Bay watershed area, FREY is an after-school program led by young people working in partnership with adults to improve the environment of their community. "When young people supply the ideas and enthusiasm and adults listen, help them develop necessary skills, and provide ongoing support, young people can meet any environmental challenge," Davis-Manigaulte added.
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Both generations say government and business leaders must accept a large share of the blame for environmental shortcomings, but large numbers also cite a lack of personal commitment by the average American.
Two-thirds of baby boomers (67 percent) and 71 percent of teens say companies are not sufficiently concerned about the environment and better than six of ten (63 percent of teens and 64 percent of boomers) have similar feelings about government leaders. But about one-third of boomers (32 percent) and more than four of ten teens (45 percent) say the biggest barrier to a better environment is a lack of concern among their fellow Americans.
"This finding is no surprise," said Howe. "Americans today believe that committed individuals, not big institutions, are what make the world a better place. And since teens don't recall an era when people thought otherwise, they reflect this attitude the most."
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While they question others' environmental commitment, teens and boomers alike say they have performed volunteer work on behalf of the environment (65 percent of teens and 53 percent of boomers) and have purchased a product based on a company's good environmental record (44 percent of teens and 60 percent of boomers).
Genevieve Geffrard, a 15-year-old member of FREY who helped organize a local summit in Far Rockaway, New York to raise community awareness of environmental issues, says her work with 4-H is an example of her generation's commitment.
"When it comes to the environment, the littlest things can have a big impact on our health and our everyday lives," Geffrard said. "It is really important for young people to get involved, and I think that adults will listen to kids when we make an effort to make things better."
Sixty-five percent of teens and 53 percent of boomers say they have participated in voluntary cleanups and other environmental activities. More than 60 percent of adults say they have bought products because of a company's good environmental record and donated money to environmental causes. More than 40 percent of teens answer "yes" to those questions.
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Overwhelming majorities of both groups say they are willing to reduce automobile use; pay more for products such as CDs; limit their number of showers; and reduce use of televisions, radios, stereos, and computers to help the environment. For example, 87 percent of teenagers said they would spend an extra 50 cents for a CD to support a plastics recycling program (77 percent of their parents would pay more).
Seven of ten teens were willing to pay up to 50 cents more a gallon for clean gasoline. Boomers were less enthusiastic about paying for cleaner fuel; a bare majority of 51 percent of boomers would agree to a 50 cents a gallon price hike.
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Both generations -- 81 percent of teens and 76 percent of boomers -- believe technological advances will help solve environmental problems. "Luddites beware," said Howe. "Both boomers and teens strongly reject the notion that technology and the environment are natural enemies."
Honda said it joined 4-H in sponsoring the EarthView survey in order to encourage youth-adult partnerships that address environmental concerns.
Honda's support for the EarthView project is consistent with its commitment to building environmentally responsible products and supporting programs that benefit young people, advance education, and enhance the environment.
This survey was conducted by Fleishman-Hillard Research between March 11 - March 19; 1,000 teenagers (ages 13-18) and 1,000 baby boomers between the ages of 40 and 55 were randomly polled. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percent.
For a complete copy of EarthView survey results call (202) 434-8522 or visit the National 4-H Council Web site at www.fourhcouncil.edu
-- Teens: 77% -- Boomers: 67%
-- Local conditions are "excellent or good": teens: 60%, boomers: 61% -- United States conditions are "excellent or good": teens: 31%, boomers: 36% -- World conditions are "excellent or good": teens: 20%, boomers: 15%
-- World conditions will worsen: teens: 60%, boomers: 53% -- United States conditions will worsen: teens: 57%, boomers: 38% -- Local conditions will worsen: teens: 44%, boomers: 28%
-- "Lack of individual concern": teens: 45%, boomers: 32% -- Corporations: teens: 20%, boomers: 32% -- Government leaders: teens: 19%, boomers: 22%
-- Teens: 71% -- Boomers: 67%
-- Teens: 63% -- Boomers: 64%
-- Teens: 86% -- Boomers: 71%
-- Teens: 81% -- Boomers: 76%
-- Teens: 65% -- Boomers: 53%
-- Boomers: 60% -- Teens: 44%
-- Boomers: 62% -- Teens: 42%
-- 50 cents more per gallon for gasoline that is less polluting: teens: 70%, boomers: 51% -- More for cars that better control pollution: teens: 80%, boomers: 69%
-- Walk, bike, car pool, use public transportation instead of a car: teens: 88%, boomers: 80% -- Pay an extra 50 cents for a CD/cassette tape to fund a plastic recycling program: teens: 87%, boomers: 77% -- Limit the number/length of showers to conserve energy and water: teens: 80%, boomers: 79%
-- Teens: 82% -- Boomers: 76%
Sample Size: 1,000 teens ages 13-18 and 1,000 boomers ages 40-55
Margin of Error: 3.0%
Interview Method: Telephone
Interview Dates: March 11-19, 1998
Analysis prepared by Frederick Schneiders Research
For more information please call 202-434-8522 EarthView Contacts Neil Howe Co-Author, Generations and The Fourth Turning P) 703-759-2649 F) 703-759-9356
Jeffrey Smith Senior Manager, Corporate Public Affairs Honda North America, Inc.
P) 202-554-1650 F) 202-488-3542
Jacqueline Davis-Manigaulte Genevieve Geffrard 202-434-8522
Susan Halbert National 4-H Council Environmental Stewardship P) 301-961-2908 F) 301-961-2894
Additional National 4-H Environmental Stewardship Contacts Nicole Webster Arlington Cooperative Extension Service 3308 South Stafford Street Arlington, VA 22206 (703) 228-6400
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