A seven-country survey across Europe has found that young people are more willing than older generations to make big lifestyle changes such as having smaller families, stop the use of cars and – albeit in smaller numbers – going vegan for the planet- that would help combat the climate crisis.
They are however less convinced by smaller gestures such as abandoning single-use plastics and growing a few more plants.
The YouGov polling showed the economic downturn was hitting young people’s hopes for the future, with more than half saying they were worried they would be unable to own a home in the next decade.
Undertaken in August in Britain, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Sweden, the survey also showed a large minority of 18- to 24-year-olds felt economic concerns could dissuade them from starting a family within the same timeframe.
When asked about what sacrifices they would be prepared to make to help fight global heating, 28% of 18- to 24-year-olds and 30% of 25- to 34-year-olds said that they would be willing – or were already planning – to have fewer children than they would otherwise like.
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That compared with figures of between 19% and 13% for older generations – most of whom are, however, already likely to be parents. But younger generations were also more likely to favour other significant lifestyle changes than older respondents.
The survey found that young people were more willing to give up cars, with 54% of 18- to 24-year-olds saying they would – or already did – only walk, cycle or use public transport, against 45% of people over the age of 65. Similarly, 41% would switch to an electric car against 21% of people over the age of 65.
It found that while only 21% of 18- to 24-year-olds said they were willing to – or already had – cut meat and dairy out of their diet entirely, that was still a significantly higher proportion than in older cohorts (17% of 55- to 64-year-olds, and 13% of people over the age of 65).
The survey also found that younger generations were also much more likely to be willing to (or already did) pay more for air travel (30% of 18- to 24-year-olds against about 22% of people over 55), and buy only secondhand clothes (35% of 18- to 24-year-olds and 38% of 24- to 34-year-olds against 26% of people over the age of 65).
For smaller changes, such as creating green space in their home, eating only seasonal produce, or never buying single-use plastics, older age groups were more likely to say they would be happy to make, or had already made, the change.
Story was adapted from the Guardian.
