Statistics
Young people
Young people's concerns
88% of 16-34 year olds in the UK say that environmental issues are important to them, in particular those based in the North East and East of England (94%). 1
When looking into specific environmental issues, the most pressing for young people are in protecting wildlife 87% and ending plastic pollution (84%)1
89% of young people report feeling concerned or very concerned about climate change but only a third (33%) regularly talk to their friends about climate change.2
Young people and the media
77% of young people in the UK would like to see environmental issues included in TV drama programmes more than they currently are.1
76% of 16-34 year olds in the UK are worried that environmental issues are not getting enough exposure on TV since the onset of the Coronavirus.1
59% of 16-34 year olds in the UK would like to see environmental issues included more in dramas, comedies (57%) and entertainment programmes (57%)1
Only 16% of young people find current climate spokespeople to be ‘very relatable’.2
32% of young people worry that they don’t know enough to speak up about climate change on social media.2
25% of young people worry that they’d be judged by their friends for posting about climate on social media.2
1GAP commissioned Opinium to poll 1,053 16-34 year olds in the UK, of which 50% were 16-24 and 50% were 25-34 years old.
2Supercharging the Climate Conversation, white paper produced in partnership with VMO2
Consumerism
Young people and consumerism
UK teenagers own a staggering 58 million trainers1
Almost a third of these trainers 19 million, are unworn1
The CO2 emissions produced to create 58 million trainers is over 409 Million kgs CO2e - the equivalent of circumnavigating the globe in a medium sized car almost 50 thousand times.
