Fee Fie Foe Unplug, Are You as Green as an Englishman?

A new study conducted in England is giving clues to how the environmental movement has influenced Brits. Understanding Society tracks the behaviors and attitudes of 100,000 people, in a variety of age groups, across the country. Though attitudes towards environmentalism and environmental issues are only one small part of the study, the findings are very interesting for people in England and around the world.

Initial results showed that, in fact, 59 percent of the 1,500 early respondents believe that "if things continue on their current course we will soon experience a major environmental disaster." This is an encouraging trend, one that we are seeing emerge in many places, including the United States. More significant than their opinion, however, is what people are doing to effect change.

Struggling with green basics? You're not alone with Bea Wildered.

In the UK, the green basics are popular. 82% of people said that they regularly turn off the lights when they leave the room and 67% avoid leaving a television on standby. 55% turn off the water while brushing their teeth and the same percentage bring a reusable bag when they go shopping.

Other simple green tips, like taking fewer flights (16%), carpooling (15%) and avoiding products with excess packaging (8%) were less popular. Even buying recycled paper products was relatively unpopular with only 28% of respondents identifying it as a common behavior.

The message from this early analysis is clear: "Green behaviors costing the least money and effort are currently the most popular with the British public."