WASHINGTON - As all Americans consider their environmental attitudes, a national survey released by Harris Interactive shows that lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender (LGBT) adults, especially, are accelerating their personal commitment to pro-environmental issues.
A majority (55%) of all LGBT adults, when asked if they "personally care a great deal about the current state and future of the environment," say this statement describes themselves completely or very well - a description that characterizes just one-third (33%) of heterosexual American adults. When all are asked if they "encourage others to be more environmentally friendly," four out of ten (40%) LGBT adults say that statement also describes them completely or very well, while only twenty-four percent (24%) of heterosexual adults concur.
The new nationwide survey of 2,352 U.S. adults (ages 18 and over), of whom 347 self-identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender (LGBT), was conducted online between November 8 and November 15, 2010, by Harris Interactive, a global market research and consulting firm, in conjunction with Witeck-Combs Communications, Inc., a strategic public relations and marketing communications firm with special expertise in the LGBT market.
In a year-over-year contrast, nearly half (47%) of LGBT adults, when asked about their environmental attitudes today, say that being "environmentally conscious" either describes themselves completely or very well. That new benchmark shows a marked increase from a 2009 poll that found just 38% of LGBT adults felt this described them completely or very well. In contrast, in this year's survey, 28% of heterosexual adults say that being "environmentally conscious" describes themselves completely or very well (while a similar 30% of heterosexuals applied that self-label in 2009.)
As more Americans take steps to understand and protect the environment, there now appear to be widening gaps in attitudes between LGBT Americans and their heterosexual counterparts. For instance, one in three (35%) LGBT adults state that the self-label of "environmentalist" describes their identities completely or very well, when contrasted with just 15% of heterosexuals who believe this self-label fits themselves that same way.
When asked specifically about voting, purchase decisions, and workplace attitudes, these gaps become more evident.
45% of LGBT adults say it is "very to extremely important" to consider environmental issues when voting for a candidate, compared to 27% of non-LGBT adults.
Nearly one in two (48%) LGBT adults also say it is "very to extremely important" to consider environmental issues when buying and using products or services, compared to 25% of heterosexuals.
One in four (25%) LGBT adults report that it is also "very to extremely important" to consider environmental issues in choosing the company you work for or apply for a job, compared with just 17% of heterosexual adults who agree.
Bob Witeck, CEO of Witeck-Combs Communications, noted that environmentalism seems to be growing more deeply ingrained among LGBT adults: "Trends we've witnessed over the past few years consistently highlight the awareness and commitment that LGBT people tend to show environmental practices. Across-the-board, the community gravitates towards the concept of stewardship and commitment to a "green" future for all Americans."
TABLE 1A
ENVIRONMENTAL LABELS
"To what extent, if any, does each of the following statements describe you?"
Base: All adults
2010
Describes me completely
Describes me very well
Describes me fairly well
Describes me somewhat well
Does not describe me at all
%
%
%
%
%
I am concerned about the planet we are leaving behind for future generations.
16
20
27
26
11
I personally care a great deal about the current state, and future, of the environment.
14
20
27
29
10
I am environmentally conscious.
10
20
29
31
11
I feel a personal responsibility for taking care of the environment.
10
19
26
30
15
I encourage others to be more environmentally friendly.
9
16
25
28
23
I am a conservationist.
7
13
26
30
24
I am "green".
6
13
24
32
26
I am an environmentalist.
6
11
20
28
35
Note: Percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding.
TABLE 1B
ENVIRONMENTAL LABELS
"To what extent, if any, does each of the following statements describe you?"
Summary of those saying "Very well" or "Completely"
Base: All adults
2009
2010
Total
LGBT
Heterosexual
Total
LGBT
Heterosexual
%
%
%
%
%
%
I am concerned about the planet we are leaving behind for future generations.
43
51
42
36
55
35
I personally care a great deal about the current state, and future, of the environment.
36
43
36
34
55
33
I am environmentally conscious.
30
38
30
29
47
28
I feel a personal responsibility for taking care of the environment.
29
34
28
29
47
28
I encourage others to be more environmentally friendly.
26
35
26
25
40
24
I am a conservationist.
17
20
17
20
27
19
I am "green".
13
20
12
18
33
17
I am an environmentalist.
13
21
13
16
35
15
Note: Percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding.
TABLE 2A
ENVIRONMENTAL DECISIONS
"How important are environmental issues to you when it comes to making decisions about…?"
