Greendex Survey 2012: India Ranks First, USA Last in Sustainable Behavior

 
According to a recent National Geographic survey, Americans rank last compared to the rest of the world in sustainable behavior, and they are least likely to feel guilt for the implications of their choices regarding the environment.

The survey was conducted by the National Geographic Society and research consultancy GlobalScan. The results of the survey were presented in The Annual Greendex report 2012. The survey was conducted on 17,000 consumers in 17 countries to quantitatively measure the number of environmentally friendly people all around the world.

The survey was a measure of consumer behaviour in 65 areas relating to housing, transportation, food and consumer goods.

The results of the survey were a bit shocking, as the people who had the highest footprint were found to be least bothered about the result of their impacts on the environment. The ‘Greendex’ found that Indians had the most sustainable behaviour, followed by Chinese and Brazilians. Americans ranked last in the survey and France ranked last in the Europe.

According to the survey, India was on the top with a Greendex score of 58.9, followed by China at 57.8, and then Brazil at 55.5. USA scored 44.7.

Despite the highest sustainable behaviour, 45% of the consumers from India and China were found to exhibit guilt over the consequences of their actions. Only 21% of American consumers did so. In contrast, only 21% of US consumers were found guilty about the impact they have on the environment.

“The data suggest a significant divide between how emerging markets and developed nations experience environmental challenges,” said Terry Garcia, Executive Vice President for Mission Programs at the National Geographic Society.

The views presented in the above article are author’s personal views only.