Poll: Three-Quarters of Canadians Admit They Could Do More for the Environment

TORONTO, ONTARIO — (Marketwire) — 03/07/13 — Canada–s reputation abroad has suffered on the issue of climate change, but individual Canadians say that there is more that they can personally do to improve the environment. Three-quarters (74 per cent) of Canadians admit that they could do more to increase their environmental action, according to a poll conducted by Environics Research Group on behalf of Bullfrog Power, Canada–s 100 per cent renewable energy provider.

Introduced by Bullfrog Power today, the is a quarterly poll that measures Canadians– attitudes and behaviours toward the environment. The survey also reveals that only one-quarter (24 per cent) of Canadians say they do almost everything they can. A further two per cent admit they don–t care about the environment.

The Barometer covers a wide range of topics from sustainable purchasing habits in the grocery aisles to who needs to take responsibility for the environment.

“Change happens when awareness leads to action. Canadians are increasingly aware that they could do more for the environment,” says Jo Coombe, Vice President, Residential Service, Bullfrog Power. “It–s essential to monitor the pulse of change and to identify where we need to take action to educate, encourage and evolve our efforts.”

Time to step it up

Demographics often shape environmental awareness and the inaugural Bullfrog Barometer highlights key generational differences. According to the Barometer, the younger cohort (ages 18-29) is leaving environmental responsibility to older generations, despite a perception of being outspoken, environmentally-minded change makers. Specifically, still one-quarter (24 per cent) of younger Canadians say they consider the environment only occasionally.

In contrast, seven in 10 of those ages 30-44 are most likely to acknowledge they could be doing more to reduce their personal footprint, while only half (55 per cent) of 18-29-year-olds acknowledge that they could do more. One factor in this gap in generational awareness may be the presence of an even younger generation. Among parents, 68 per cent say they could be doing more for the environment, compared to 53 per cent of non-parents.

Boomers show increased concern

Positively, Baby Boomers– concern for the environment is growing. One in three (30 per cent) are much more concerned than they were 12 months ago, compared to 14 per cent of 30-44 year olds who increased their environmental concern.

“As a social enterprise advocating positive change for the environment, Bullfrog Power can play a role in assessing the attitudes and behaviours of Canadians. Tools like the Bullfrog Barometer can help us all make more informed decisions about where we need to focus our efforts,” says Ed Whittingham, Executive Director, Pembina Institute. “It–s no longer the next generation–s problem. Canadians need to make changes to their everyday lifestyles now if we–re to have a better environmental future and maintain our comfortable standard of living.”

Take the grassroots approach

The majority of Canadians polled say they could be doing more to help the environment. By evolving our roles at the grassroots level, whether as individuals, businesses, or associations, change can start to take effect more frequently. Bullfrog Power suggests the following actions that we can all take today to begin to change behavior and move toward a clean energy future:

– Do something small everyday-take small steps such as using public transportation, recycling more often, and switching to energy efficient lighting

– Unplug-disconnect those unnecessary power cords in your home when not in use and think about purchasing energy efficient appliances. If every home in Canada limited standby power to one watt per hour, it–s estimated the savings would equal the amount of electricity needed to power 400,000 homes annually.(i)

– Sign up for renewable energy-you can sign up for both green electricity and green natural gas for your home and business.

– Get informed-research where power comes from in your province and what type of power is most heavily used. Canadians need to be energy literate if we are to make the right decisions for a clean energy future.

– Get involved-across Canada, community renewable energy co-operatives like and are finding innovative ways to bring more clean energy to the grid. Find out how you can get involved with groups in your area who are trying to do the same.

Note to editors: provincial statistics are available, and interview opportunities with Canadians in the Gen Y, X and Baby Boomer generations. For more information on the Bullfrog Barometer, including an infographic and profiles of Bullfrog customers, visit .

About Bullfrog Power

Bullfrog Power, Canada–s 100 per cent green energy provider, offers renewable energy solutions that enable homes and businesses to reduce their environmental impact, support the development of green energy projects in Canada and help create a cleaner, healthier world. As a Certified B Corporation, Bullfrog Power meets higher standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. Thousands of Canadian homes and businesses are doing their part to address climate change and air pollution by switching to green energy with Bullfrog Power. Homes and businesses can sign up easily, quickly and affordably at .

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About the Bullfrog Barometer

Bullfrog Power, in partnership with Environics Research Group, surveyed Canadians 18+ to measure their attitudes towards the environment. The survey was completed by telephone from November 27th to December 9th, 2012 with a representative sample of 2,000 Canadians. The approximate margin of sampling error is +/- 3.1 per cent at the 95 per cent confidence level. The Bullfrog Barometer is a quarterly poll that measures Canadians– attitudes and behaviours toward the environment.

(i) , October 2012.

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Contacts:
Bullfrog Power
Jon McKay
Public Relations Manager
416.360.3464 ext 239

Environics Communications
Kristen Marano
416.969.2730