I’m sure we’re all guilty at some point of making mistakes and some of mine have certainly been with making environmentally-unfriendly choices and decisions. Yes, sometimes I get selfish or lazy and that results in me doing not so healthy things for the environment. It’s normal but it’s also something I’m trying to change day by day. Viessmann launched a campaign which surveyed 1,000 respondents to take a look at our eco bad habits as individuals when it comes to the environment and towards offsetting their carbon.
From what the survey found, it seems like most people who participated had good intentions to be eco-friendly but that it was a simple habit of forgetting. Now I am certainly a culprit of that when it comes to doing things like recycling. It is often too late when I realise though as that piece of paper or recyclable material ends up covered in food that’s in the bin. 14% of the people in the survey said they were always eco-conscious, whereas 19% are the ones that have good intentions but forget. However, what I found not surprising was that a staggering 15% said they were not fully willing to change or make lifestyle changes. And I totally get this because a lot of us humans are set in our ways and for some, it can be hard to make that change without being incentivised to do it.
When it comes to calling out bad eco-habits, the majority of survey-takers (60%) would call someone they know out. Before I got eco-savvy with our home, our friend called us out for not recycling and I can say that has certainly changed since. However only 32% would call out a stranger and to be honest, I would be in that percentage too. The only thing I’d worry about is saying something in the wrong way to the wrong person who’d likely try to swing at me for even glancing their way.
With carbon offsetting, it’s contributing to a scheme that can help remove the amount of carbon that’s emitted during an activity of their choice. 42% of the surveyed individuals said they would do this and would certainly be the same. I think a lot of us would like things to be done for us or made as easy as possible, otherwise it just becomes too much of an effort on top of daily life, you know?
I think one thing that we need to be more active on is self-education and providing as much available resources in the form of marketing almost from governing bodies and councils that are directly influencing those who don’t have eco-friendly habits, to do better. Penalising may work in some cases but for others, it’s simply a case of putting more in place to make it an easier thing to do for the public. 49% of the people surveyed said their influences for eco-friendly habits are at the thought of providing a healthier world for future generations and I’d like to think a lot more would think that if they were asked.
Changing the behaviour of our households and communities is something that seems to be the outcome to Viessmann’s latest campaign and I think if sharing this does help, then I’m going to do it. We can all be better when it comes to our habits towards the environment, and I’m responsible for it too.
Do you have any bad habits towards the environment? How do you think you could do better? Let me know in the comments below.
*Disclaimer – This is a collaborative post with Viessmann. All words are my own.
