According to a One Ball survey, more than 50% of Americans admit to being less environmentally conscious when they are not surrounded by others. Among the respondents, 20% stated that social pressure encourages them to commit to protecting the environment while 19% fear being judged by others. Nevertheless, the majority believe that caring for the planet and protecting it for future generations is the main reason for living a sustainable life. Moreover, respondents want to set an example for their children or feel that it is the right thing to do, among other reasons. Interestingly, 73% agreed that the motivations behind living sustainably are unimportant as long as the outcome is positive for the planet. However, 45% of the respondents only bought products presented to them as environmentally friendly, but only 27% were highly confident about the product’s sustainability claims. This phenomenon of falsely promoting sustainable products is called greenwashing. Dr. Rima Bejjani, a psychological consultant, stated that social pressure often compels people to act environmentally friendly even if they are not genuinely convinced. She recommends implementing sustainable practices until it becomes a habit, which would lead to genuine willingness to act consciously towards the planet.
More than half of Americans say they tend to be less environmentally conscious when they’re not surrounded by others, a new One Ball survey reveals.
She added that social pressure is what drives 20 percent of the respondents to commit to protecting the environment, while 19 percent fear others’ judgment of them.
The majority saw that caring for the planet and protecting it for future generations is the main reason behind living their lives in a sustainable way.
Among other reasons, respondents said they wanted to set an example for their children or felt it was the right thing to do.
And 73 percent agreed that the motivations behind living sustainably are unimportant as long as the outcome is positive for the planet.
Forty-five percent of the survey respondents said they only bought a product because it was presented to them as environmentally friendly, but only 27 percent were very confident about that.
The phenomenon of misleading consumers by making false environmental claims about the sustainability of products and their role in combating climate change is known as greenwashing.
Greenwashing is the dark side of the accelerating trend of companies and countries making pledges on the transition to clean energy and low carbon emissions.
Poll: Social pressures are among the reasons people commit to respecting the environment
In this context, the psychological consultant, Dr. Rima Bejjani, said:
- Usually we feel compelled to do some practices even though we are not convinced of them because of social pressures.
- We must try to implant these practices in our mind so that with the future they will come out of us with full satisfaction and without a sense of anxiety and pressure.
In conclusion, the One Ball survey highlights the impact of social pressure on people’s commitment to environmental consciousness. While social pressure can be a driving force for some individuals, it’s important to develop a genuine understanding and appreciation for sustainable practices. Consumers must also be aware of the phenomenon of greenwashing and make informed decisions when it comes to environmentally friendly products. By working together, we can make a positive impact on the planet and ensure its preservation for future generations.