U.S. Teens Feel They Can Do More for Environment

By CnAgri2012-07-26 19:29:00 Print

Canon U.S.A., Inc., Lake Success, N.Y., released survey results revealing that 63 percent of 14- to 18-year-old teenagers agree that kids their age are not taking enough action to help solve current environmental problems. The survey, commissioned by Canon U.S.A. and conducted online by Harris Interactive, polled 563 teenagers across the United States to investigate their understanding of, and interest in, environmental activities.

"Through programs like the Canon Envirothon, Canon U.S.A. is supporting students and inspiring a whole new generation of environmental leaders and innovators."The survey also helps kick off the 25th anniversary of the Envirothon where more than 270 students from across the United States and Canada are participating in a Canon-sponsored, five-day competition this week at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pa. to test their knowledge on a variety of environmental issues.

According to the survey, teenagers frequently look for new ways to help preserve the environment while at the same time they also expressed the need to go beyond the classroom to satisfy their environmental curiosity. The results did, however, reveal that a majority of students are willing to do more, from volunteering to clean up public areas (56 percent) to recycling (85 percent) and reducing energy usage, such as turning off unnecessary lights (85 percent).

How Teens Get Their Environmental News:

-- Older teens (16- to 18-year-olds) are more likely than younger teens (14- to 15-year-olds) to actively seek out information on environmental issues through websites or blogs (49 percent vs. 39 percent) and newspapers or magazines (47 percent vs. 32 percent)

-- Three out of four (76 percent) teens in grades six to 12 reported there are infrequent opportunities to learn about environmental conservation at their schools or in their classrooms

-- More than two-thirds (67 percent) of 14- to 18-year-olds turn to television programming and commercials to receive information about the environment

-- Only 56 percent report their school classes are a source of information about environmental issues

"It is very encouraging that students across the country have such a strong desire to learn more about the environment and assist in the development and implementation of sustainable practices," said Bunji Yano, senior director and general manager, Corporate Communications, Canon U.S.A. "Through programs like the Canon Envirothon, Canon U.S.A. is supporting students and inspiring a whole new generation of environmental leaders and innovators."