Survey reveals generational divide in Earth Day awareness

Only a quarter of Americans know when Earth Day is, according to new research.

The survey of 2,000 American adults, conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Avocado Green Mattress (https://www.avocadogreenmattress.com), found that without context, 23% believed they could identify the specific date on which Earth Day is celebrated.

That was then put to the test: All respondents were asked to select the month and the day that Earth Day occurs yearly. Fifty-seven percent correctly said Earth Day happens in April, but only 26% rightly chose April 22.

The survey also looked at respondents’ general knowledge of Earth Day — and how the holiday impacts their sustainable habits.

Younger generations claimed a higher familiarity with Earth Day and its history: 42% of millennials said they’re knowledgeable about it, compared to just 28% of baby boomers.

Millennials were also more likely to take sustainable actions on April 22: three in 10 said their behavior changes on Earth Day, compared to just 12% of baby boomers.

But for some Americans — especially younger respondents — this sustainable behavior isn’t long-lasting.

A third of all respondents admitted making a specific, temporary effort to be sustainable on Earth Day. Broken down by age, 44% of millennials admitted their sustainable behavior was temporary for the holiday itself, compared to 26% of baby boomers.

“While it’s important to be sustainable on Earth Day, it’s equally important throughout the rest of the year,” said Laura Scott, director of brand marketing at Avocado Green Mattress. “To create real, long-lasting change, we need to think about how to incorporate eco-friendly actions into our daily lives, both on Earth Day and otherwise.”

When asked how they’d like to see Earth Day celebrated, respondents highlighted teaching about it in schools (55%), a need for people to learn how to be more sustainable (52%) and said the government should take the opportunity to focus on legislation to help the environment (35%).

Respondents are holding the government to a high standard when it comes to sustainability. Sixty-nine percent of those surveyed believe it’s important for individuals to make sustainable decisions, while 77% said the same for the government.

But regardless of whether it’s the government or individual people making eco-friendly decisions, most respondents (79%) do believe that small daily habits can lead to systemic change.

“It’s encouraging that our research found Americans do believe little, sustainable habits can lead to broader change — that’s an important attitude to have as we all work to fight against the impact of climate change,” said Scott. “Any eco-friendly behavior you can implement in your daily life will help create change on a broad scale, and that’s something we should celebrate.”

HOW ARE AMERICANS PLANNING TO CELEBRATE EARTH DAY?*

• “I helped fellow university friends celebrate the first Earth Day at our school. This year, I will Zoom call my remaining friends as we do each year.”
• “The same as every day — respect the environment and look after nature as well as I can.”
• “I will do what I try to do every day: Choose reuse and repair over replace. Recycle and conserve. For me, every day is Earth Day.”
• “Every day should [be] Earth Day, in my opinion. The planet needs us to be mindful of it all year long.”
• “Plant a tree with my daughter.”
• “Approaching my HOA and ask[ing] that recycle pick-up be added to our community.”
• “Planting native plants, not driving that day, participating in an organized or solo day of collecting litter.”
• “We [have] plant[ed] a fruit tree every year for the last 10 or so years.”
• “I strongly believe that the day should be observe[d] through active participation such as picking up litter and recycling. Attending a symposium about sustainability or Earth Day, and watching documentaries in relation to this.”
• “Discuss with my family how we can continue to support the Earth throughout the coming year, not just in making more sustainable choices, but also by helping revive local ecosystems.”
• “Thinking about doing a little clean-up in the neighborhood, maybe plant a tree or two, and educate the kids on sustainability. Also considering donating to an environmental cause.”
• “Teach my grandson about its importance.”

* Free text responses were minimally edited for spelling and grammar