Some people claim that women tend to be greener than men when it comes to everyday actions we can take to mitigate our impact on the planet. For example, women are more likely to be vegetarian (60 per cent more) than men; they’re also more consistent with their recycling.
The fact is that in the U.S. women control 85 per cent of all purchasing decisions, which means it’s in their hands to support companies and products that cater for the increasing demand for environmental products.
Time magazine recently wrote an article about the topic based on research by the French National Institute of Statistics and Economics which found French women emit 32.3 kgs of carbon per day while male emissions are 39.3kg. A diet heavier in meat and inefficient use of transport are pointed out as the reasons for men’s bigger carbon footprint.
According a research carried out by PhD candidate at UC-Davis Andrea Duwel, as reported by the Huffington Post, is what seems more evident in terms of gender-specific attitudes towards sustainability is how men tend to focus on the big picture while women are more tuned in with smaller changes that can be implemented at home.
Everyday actions
That seems to confirm that women are likely to be greener, then, since it is precisely in everyday actions that paradigm shifts occur. The big picture may refer to changes in power supply – but what can we do about it other than support it with everyday actions? Unless, of course, you are the CEO or sustainability manager of a major company.
There are things that everyone can do to be greener, regardless of genre:
-Switch to clean energy;
-Use public transport as often as possible or cycle to work/school;
-Adopt a plant-based diet;
-Recycle;
-Grow your own vegetables and/or buy local produce;
What do you think? Do you think men are less likely to convert their convictions into actions that benefit the planet?
Article by Antonio Pasolini, a Brazilian writer and video art curator based in London, UK. He holds a BA in journalism and an MA in film and television.
