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
This is a fine example of why collective decision making is so important. If we leave everything up to individual choice, nothing will ever change. I-pods may be a trivial example, but the point is valid.
It took a law to seat belts in cars; it took a law to get us to switch to unleaded gasoline; it took a law to get automakers to start buliding more fuel-efficient cars. Switching over to more environmentally sound products and/or practices will require the same.
Wow, Mr. Adam has a lot of time on his hands. I guess it’s easier to write a long-winded, nonsensical diatribe than to seek answers on his own.
Some of us got your point Andrew, that a lot of people 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… Oh yeah, you DID say that out right didn’t you?
(((03)))
If people are that concerned with the environment, why not make the vehicles that are hybrid and produce less emissions more accessible. And available in the U.S. and everywhere else. I know there are some available, but the really astonishing ones are overseas in Europe. How does an electronic device harm the environment anyway? The only thing I can think of is when you disposed of it.
When is this “going-green” media hype going to go away?
The phrase “going green” makes me want to vomit. I wouldn’t give up any of those things if for no other reason that spite.
Actually, I don’t have any of these things. While I do have a computer at my office for my work, that allows me enough time to do personal email and keep up with youtube/facebook such that I don’t feel any need to have one at home. Actually, if I had a computer or tv at home, I don’t think that I would read or bake or participate in community events like I currently do. as to a cell phone, I guess I’ve never felt a need for one, and continue to function just fine with my work phone and my landline at home. I’m not important enough to need to be available 24 hours a day, and that’s just fine with me.
I only have 3-4 weeks a year when I slightly desire an AC… most of the rest of the time is fine. The vast majority of the rest of the world lives without one, and they seem to do pretty well. It adds about 20-25% to most people’s electric bills on average, and that’s a lot of additional electricity needed, and thus more pollution.
Washing dishes once or twice a day by hand just takes a few minutes. Easy. And not having a microwave is no inconvenience, really. Plus, choosing to bike or walk everywhere I go actually opens up my world in some fundamental ways. The area in which I live is more accessible and open to me. I don’t have to fight for parking. I stay in better shape. I save money. And I learn to adapt and live within the 4-5 miles of my part of the city. It’s a win/win situation.
I wouldn’t give up any of the above. In fact I wouldn’t give up ANYTHING at all for the hoax that is mad caused global warming. I intentionaly don’t recycle because too many of the global warming lemmings recycle and i will do nothing to support this lie of global warming.
What do they mean… “if they knew iPods were seriously damaging the environment”?
Polling on abstract/hypotheticals isn’t all that interesting. Attitudes and behavior can be influenced by specific data/messaging, but more importantly by the attitudes of friends/peers/celebrities/society. If using an iPod became the equivalent of wearing fur, I bet you would see attitudes over time change… or more likely new eco-products would be developed to serve that niche.
I’m all for a hard look at how selfish and short-sighted we’ve become as consumers, but this poll seems kinda light and not very meaningful.
P.S.
Who conducted this survey??? You don’t say and niether does the site you link to. That’s weak reporting, if you can call it that.
The simple fact is that the IPOD does not hurt the enviroment, and most would assume that it doesnt, and if it does, infact hurt it, a major chemical blows a cload of smoke out of its stack for 5 minutes in a day and does 10000 times the damage on person does in lifetime with there few luxuries they have.