Each generation handles the environment differently. For thousands of years, not much thought was given to the planet’s ecology. More recent generations have had to deal with the growing environmental threats posed by the human species.
As time continues to pass, the attitudes of current generations towards the environment are clarifying, leaving younger generations, including Millennials and Gen Z, at the forefront of eco-friendly behavior.
So, how are Millennials more eco-friendly than older generations?
Embracing Energy-Efficient Products
Energy efficiency plays a big role in eco-friendly ideals. Cutting back on the use of fossil fuels is an important part of sustainability as these fuels:
- Are Being Used Up Quickly
- Damage the Environment When They Are Used
Many companies are developing energy-efficient products for consumers interested in eco-friendly purchases. Millennials are likely to gravitate towards these products, including:
- Energy-Efficient Lightbulbs
- Low Flow Shower Heads
- Advanced Power Strips (APS)
Millennials can also be drawn toward energy-efficient vehicles, including electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles.
Adopting Eco-Friendly Lifestyle Choices
Supporting eco-friendly ideals with purchases is one thing. Millennials also work eco-friendly actions into their day-to-day life. Many members of the Millennial generation decide to:
- Carpool
- Take Public Transportation
- Bike to Work or School
Studies have shown that only around 78% of Millennials even own cars, compared to 91% of people in previous generations. These simple acts can have a big impact on the environment, especially as they reduce carbon emissions.
Staying Educated About the Environment
Understanding the state of the environment is an important part of developing an eco-friendly mindset. Millennials are – in many cases – very comfortable with using the internet to search for a wide range of information and facts about sustainability.
Millennials may be able to access:
- Social Media Sites
- Initiatives from Non-Government Organizations
- Eco-Friendly Webpages
Many Millennials even check out companies before purchasing from them or agreeing to work for them. Companies that use environmentally unfriendly policies may lose business or potential workers from the Millennial generation.
Reusing, Reducing, and Recycling
There’s a growing trend among younger generations to reuse items, instead of simply throwing used products away. People turn used goods into items that can be useful around the home, or even into artwork.
Reducing overall purchases is also important to many Millennials. Millennials are likely to purchase smaller houses or rent smaller apartments, for example. Millennials also have developed such a reputation for thrift shopping that stores like Goodwill are specifically targeting their business.
Image Source: Pixabay
However, this isn’t to say that previous generations are completely abandoning the environment. Previous generations often rank higher when it comes to measuring attitudes towards recycling in general.
People from all generations can embrace sustainability and eco-friendly choices in their lifestyles.
Building Eco-Friendliness Across Generations
No single generation can make the changes our planet needs. Sustainability across the planet will depend on people from all generations working together. Millennials are – in many ways – more eco-friendly than older generations, and ready to share their understanding of eco-friendly practices with others.
(See also: 7 Eco-friendly Home Cleaning Tips That Work Like Magic)
About The Author:
Andrew Thompson is a freelance content writer. He has written many good and informative articles on different categories such as Health, Lifestyle, technology, Business, SEO, education, career, Marketing, etc. He is very responsible for his job. He is a featured author at various authoritative blogs in the Technology and Health industry and is currently associated as a blogger with the Website: techsglobe.com/
