Earth Day, celebrated globally every year on April 22nd, serves as a day to remind ourselves to protect and preserve this planet that we call home. Let’s take a look at findings from Ipsos' annual Earth Day report, which provides insights on how attitudes and actions towards climate change are evolving in America.
Earth Day 2024
Protecting the Planet: Whose Job Is It?
One of the most striking revelations from the Earth Day 2024 report is America’s shifting perception of responsibility. Just over half of Americans (54%) feel they would be failing future generations by not taking action on climate change. This represents a decrease from 61% in 2022. Although fewer individuals feel a personal responsibility to combat climate change, Americans are increasingly placing the duty on businesses (52% agree) and the US government (54% agree) to lead the charge.
Can Everyday Changes Really Help?
Still, two-thirds of Americans (66%) are optimistic that if everyone made small changes in their everyday lives it could have a big impact on tackling climate change.
Need some ideas on where to start? This year, Earthday.org’s theme is Planet vs. Plastics, aimed at reducing plastic waste from single-use plastics, fast fashion, and more. Here are a few of their suggestions on how to avoid ingesting microplastics:
- Sweep or vacuum as much as possible in your home because dust is full of plastic fibers and particles.
- Reduce single-use plastic water bottles, which can contain up to 240 000 nano particles of plastic per bottle.
- Try to avoid microwaving your food in plastic containers because the heat releases plastic chemicals, like BPA, into your food.
- Opt to include leafy vegetables in your recipes, as they may contain less microplastics than root vegetables.
- Limit wearing polyester, a textile made of plastic which sheds microplastic fibers that you could end up breathing in.
Enjoying Earth Day
Wherever you are, be sure to take a moment today to appreciate the beauty of nature all around you. Even a simple walk in the park serves as a wonderful reminder that we’re all connected to this incredible planet. When it comes to protecting Earth, every small step makes a big difference. Together, we can create a brighter future!
The Ipsos information shared in this article has been sourced from: https://www.ipsos.com/en-us/earth-day-2024-changing-attitudes-and-actions-towards-climate-change
