Two Thirds of Americans Would Refuse to Give Up iPod - Even if it Ruined Environment
An astonishing new survey has revealed that more than 60% of Americans would refuse to stop using their iPods, even if they knew it was seriously damaging the environment.
The survey, which quizzed more than 1,000 people across the US, found that, whilst the majority of Americans are making efforts to buy greener products, most wouldn’t do so if it meant compromising on convenience or comfort.
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Presented with a choice between comfort, convenience or the environment, 38 percent of those questioned said they’d choose their convenience, 36 percent comfort and just 26 percent the environment.
According to market researcher Suzanne Shelton, “Consumers don’t want to give up the modern conveniences of life. We’re all basically saying, ‘I’ll be green as long it doesn’t make me uncomfortable or inconvenienced.’”
» See also: Recycling In San Francisco Made Easy With The iPhone, by Mayor Newsom
In further findings, when asked, “If you thought these things were harming the environment, which of the following would you be willing to give up?” well under 50 percent of those polled were prepared to give up the following items:
- iPod - 38 percent would be willing to do without it
- Dishwasher - 35 percent
- Microwave - 25 percent
- Cellular phone - 21 percent
- Air conditioning - 14 percent
- TV - 13 percent
- Computer - 7 percent
- Car - 6 percent
- None of the above - 21 percent
- All of the above - 6 percent
Commenting on the findings Shelton said, “For most Americans, what once were considered conveniences have become necessities. That means the green movement has its work cut out for it: Convenience and comfort are big barriers for consumers going green.
“It means a lot of people simply won’t take on green projects, or buy a green product if they have to go to a different store to find it or if it somehow takes away from their personal comfort.”
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More on iPods and the Environment:
- 8th Grader Builds Solar-Powered Bike With GPS, iPod Dock
- New Device Allows Users to Charge iPods by Going for a Walk
- Music Fan Charges iPod With an Onion
- Apple Introduces an Environmentally-Friendly iPod
- Electric Superbike Uses iPhone For Its Dashboard
Image Credit - dan_taylor via flickr
And I wouldn’t have one if you gave it to me - the hype around the thing is sickening.
Maybe… they assume a little iPod does very little harm?
Were they told exactly what the problem was, compared with other alternatives?
Have to admit - my first thought was ‘how much harm could tan ipod do?
OTOH - have already given up (6%)car I know as that does seriously harm the environment - causes climate change.
I could never do without ac!
Well if we kill off say 75% of the earth’s population that would accomplish the same thing right? Lower economy, CO2 into the air etc.
This is really a loaded headline and rather stupid conclusion. “Two Thirds of Americans Would Refuse to Give Up iPod - Even if it Ruined Environment”
“Ruined” the environment? How so? No attempt is made to explain how it ruins the environment compared to any other consumer electronic device, which we use constantly in our lives. First the headline says “ruined the environment” then the follow-on link says “seriously damaged”, which one is it? They aren’t the same think, seriously damaging and completely destroying aren’t the same thing. And reading the actual link itself they simply say “If you thought these things were harming the environment”, harming is even a lessor degree of impact, than ruining, or seriously damaging” that the writer of this article states.
Maybe JUST maybe the reason for the slanted and misguided “results” are because the people really did’t know what question was being asked!
If they people were asked “If you knew that buying an iPod was killing a village of 1,000 people, would you still buy it?” The actual survey results would be MUCH different.
I Think Mr. Williams qualifications for being a writer on this site needs to be seriously questioned. And a retraction or “UPDATE” on this article is sorely needed.
Give me convenience and unnecessary consumer goods or give me death!
I think some one should have stuffed Al Gore full of ice cubes 6 or 8 years ago and eliminated all the silly hype about Global Warming and let us all dye with happiness.
This is the problem we have in our country, WE are ALL spoiled and not willing to do without. We would rather blame it on the government than ourselves. Maybe we should all wake up and realize that we are our own problem.
That’s sad. It just goes to show how me first the US is.
adam IF IT RUINED THE ENVIRONMENT who cares how…what if it leached toxic gases that’s not ok but if it stayed in a landfill forever with radiation “we can’t have that”
The fact is WE will not change our lifestyle for any reason…until it’s too late…then we’ll find someone to blame for our problem…that’s the American way
The loaded question in there is would you give something up if it were to kill your children, grand-children, great grand-children etc. tehn people would ANSWER differently but this survey show how they really would behave.
sad
This is one of those surveys that make you shake your head and wonder why someone took the time and effort to do this. Its not scientific at all. Your ipod is damaging the environment! But we don’t know how yet but we know it is! If this was the case would you still use it? What? Really? Someone got paid to do this?