The UK’s ability to meet challenging emissions targets is being threatened by the failure to persuade mainstream consumers to adopt lower-carbon lifestyles, warns a new report by ippr. Based on workshops, observations of home energy assessments and interviews with mainstream consumers across the UK, ippr’s research finds people are:
tired and bored of hearing about climate change despite being aware of it
cynical about the Government’s motives in pushing for action on climate, viewing it as a means of increasing taxation or as being hypocritical in light of recent decisions such as allowing the building of the third runway at Heathrow
doubtful about the effectiveness of adopting lower-carbon behaviours when other people, companies and countries are still emitting elsewhere
resentful of being made to feel guilty about their lifestyles
dismissive of environmentalists and ‘green’ products as ‘smug’ and ‘self-righteous’
put off by the cost of choosing lower-carbon options. Mehr dazu hier und hier.