NUDGING US IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

Pester power is often seen as a negative thing. But when it comes to the environment it appears that our little eco-heroes could be nudging us in the right direction.

Sustainability expert Sarah Walkley finds that when it comes to learning about environmental issues, it’s a two-way street.

Our children have the knowledge

We all feel a responsibility to equip our children with the knowledge and tools they need to care for the planet. In doing so, we may be helping ourselves more than we realise.

In a recent global survey of parents and children that explored their attitudes to sustainability, half of UK parents said that they have learnt about environmental issues from their children. They are clearly bring home all the knowledge they have got from school, from their clubs or what they discover in their eco activity kits.

Our young optimists

The survey showed that children are concerned about the environment, but not quite as worried as their parents. Just over one-third (33.8%) of UK children agreed that, when it comes to the climate and the environment, ‘it’s a complete disaster’; another 41.8% agreed ‘it’s bad, but not a disaster’. Among UK parent, 34.4% consider it a disaster and 48.4% think the situation is bad.

So it seems that not only are they helping to educate us, but they may be able to console us as well.

Kids in the driving seat

Our little eco-heroes are also urging us to take action and to think big. Almost one in five UK children said that they talk to their parents at least weekly about buying an electric car, though 40% said that they had never had that conversation with their parents.

Children are convinced that they are having a positive impact. Just over 70% of children in the UK believe that they influence their parents over major household spending decisions like buying an electric car. Globally, ABB found that almost 80% of children thought they had an influence over the big items that their parents buy.

It turns our they are right. Their views do count. The majority of parents thought their next car would be an electric or a hybrid car and, when looking for a new home, they would considered whether it gave them the ability to charge an electric car.

The study demonstrates the crucial role that the next generation has to play in helping reduce emissions and enable a more sustainable future.

The figures quotes come from some recent research by ABB E-Mobility, which looked into the the varying attitudes of parents and their children to sustainability and in particular e-mobility. The study, comprised of 2,500 parents and 2,500 children, demonstrates the crucial role that the next generation has to play in helping reduce emissions and enable a more sustainable future.

Sarah Walkley is a freelance writer and researcher on a mission to empower everyone to play their part in addressing climate change and nature loss.

She set up Purplefully to help organisations develop their sustainability strategy and communication.