PRESS ROOM

ROYAL OAK, Mich., 

Most residents in metro Detroit believe that individual actions in one’s daily routine – such as turning out the lights when leaving a room – play a role in helping the environment. Adherence to this and other environmentally helpful practices – such as recycling at home and adjusting the thermostat to save energy – by many people in southeast Michigan are among the findings of a public opinion survey to establish a benchmark of the environmental attitudes and behaviors of Detroit-area residents.

The “green literacy” survey – commissioned and led by the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS) in partnership with local environmental organizations, educational institutions and other groups – set out to determine what the people of Southeast Michigan know about our impacts on the environment.

“Our goal is to help the community understand the environment and how humans affect it,” said Ron Kagan, DZS executive director and CEO. “We are also mindful of the importance of convening other educational and environmental leaders in collaborations that ultimately help people help nature.”

The online study – conducted by Belden Russonello Strategists, a Washington, DC-based public opinion research firm – was fielded June 10-24, 2015, among 1,000 adults ages 18 and older who reside in a four-county area that includes Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne, using the Nielsen Opinion Quest online panel. The survey describes a population with a moderate personal commitment to environmental concerns but supportive of public policies to protect the environment.

Those polled demonstrated strong attitudes regarding sustainability, and most reported making some personal effort to practice environmentally friendly living – for instance, eight out of 10 people said they recycle at home. However, that number declines as the level of personal commitment needed increases, such as routinely carpooling or riding a bike to work or school, or choosing their food with the environment in mind.

The survey also shows broad support for public policies that incorporate sustainable thinking. Eight out of 10 people support adding bottled water to the beverages included in Michigan bottle return requirements. Eight out of 10 support a requirement for all public schools to include lessons about the environment and conservation at all grade levels. Eighty-five percent of those surveyed support requiring all elementary, middle and high schools to institute recycling programs. And 81 percent agree that stronger environmental regulations to stop companies from producing pollution and greenhouse gases are needed.

To view the survey in its entirety, visit http://dzoo.org/greensurveyreport.
In addition to the DZS, the “green literacy” partnership includes Clinton River Watershed Council, Kurt R. Metzger, mayor of Pleasant Ridge and director emeritus of Data Driven Detroit, DTE Energy, Lawrence Technological University, The Nature Conservancy and Wayne State University, among others.

The survey is just one of many initiatives of the DZS Greenprint – a strategic plan to refine and improve practices and facilities at the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Zoo, develop new policies and programs, and improve green literacy and action in the community. In recognition of these continuous efforts in sustainability – including discontinuing the sale of bottled water at the Detroit Zoo and building the first anaerobic digester in Michigan – the DZS was honored with the 2015 Green Award by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.