Our Insights

As we pass Earth Overshoot Day on August 2nd, the day when humanity has collectively used more resources than Earth can generate for the whole year, we are reminded that our overuse of natural resources is a continuous threat to the planet.

As temperatures rise around the world, nearly two-thirds of the global public that feel personally affected by climate change say they experience it through extreme heat. Many also connect climate change with their experiences of increasing food prices, followed by drought and diseases. Extreme heat is the most-perceived effect of climate change in Europe, Asia, North America, and Latin America, while food price increases is the most-perceived effect by those surveyed in Africa. 

Over the last few years there has been a slow but steady increase in people taking action to reduce the amount of plastic waste in their daily lives.  In most of the countries that produce the highest amount of plastic waste, including the USA, India, China, Brazil, Indonesia, Germany, the UK, Mexico, and Japan, people are now more likely than before the pandemic to say they frequently avoid plastic items that will only be used once. Recycling and people using their … “Insight of the Week: Global Consumer Actions to Reduce Plastic Waste Surpass Pre-pandemic Levels​”

People in Brazil are overwhelmingly concerned about deforestation in the Amazon rainforest, with nearly three-quarters expressing serious concern while 22 percent say the situation is “somewhat serious.” Women, those with low or average incomes, and people living in rural areas are most concerned. Cattle ranching, agriculture, and legal and illegal timber logging are significant drivers of the destruction of the Amazon rainforest.1 Despite efforts by the new government in Brazil to change course, deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest continues to increase.2 … “Insight of the Week: 74% of Brazilians Say Deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest Is a “Very Serious” Issue”

As India overtakes China as the world’s most populous country, Indians remain mostly optimistic about the quality of life that their children and grandchildren can expect in the future. More than three-quarters of people in India agree that future generations will have a higher quality of life than we do today, with Millennials expressing the most optimism.  However, while Millennial Indians have grown up witnessing improvements in many areas that perhaps have inspired a more positive outlook, younger Indians that are … “Insight of the Week: Millennials in India Are Most Enthusiastic about Quality of Life for Future Generations”

Four in ten US consumers support companies and brands speaking out in favor of LGBTQ+ rights, while 14 percent say they should actively oppose. Another 35 percent of American consumers prefer companies to stay quiet and neutral on the issue, with older people being significantly more likely to prefer impartiality while younger people expect companies to take sides. As shown by current controversies, these findings suggest that the American public remains divided over the role that they expect companies and … “Insight of the Week: Four in Ten Americans Say Companies Should Advocate for LGBTQ+ Rights”

In the wake of the pandemic, people have become increasingly keen on improving their own health and wellbeing, with an increase in the global proportion who “strongly agree” that they are doing this (from 37% in 2019 to 42% in 2022). There have been large increases in the number of people saying they are trying to improve their health in several major markets including Brazil, China, India, Japan, USA, and UK. *For consistent tracking, this chart includes Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, … “Insight of the Week: People around the World Are Increasingly Focused on Improving Their Health and Wellbeing”

People around the world experience varying degrees of water shortages, with those in Latin American countries surveyed most likely to feel “greatly affected.” In contrast, around two in ten people in North America and fewer than one in ten in Germany, Japan, and the Netherlands say they are greatly affected by a lack of fresh water. Source: GlobeScan Radar report (survey of 29,293 people in June ‒ July 2022)​

Fifty-eight percent of people globally believe that shortages of fresh water is a “very serious” issue. Mexicans, Colombians, and Brazilians report the most concern about access to water, while people in Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea are the least likely to say so. Concern has increased since 2021 in several of the most concerned countries, including Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Italy, and France. Source: GlobeScan Radar report (survey of 29,293 people in the general public in June ‒ July 2022)​

Younger generations – particularly Gen Z – express the strongest concern about the unequal treatment of women. More than half of Gen Z believe that the issue is “very serious” compared to four in ten Baby Boomers+. As younger generations rise, we can expect to continue to see increasing pressure for equal treatment of women across the world. Source: GlobeScan Radar report (survey of 29,293 people in the general public in June ‒ July 2022)​

Nearly three in ten sustainability experts consider Patagonia to be a leader when it comes to protecting and restoring nature and biodiversity. Across a range of sectors and regions, experts also recognize Unilever, Natura, IKEA, Danone, and Tesla as leaders in nature protection. The most cited reasons given for corporate leadership on protecting nature are actively preserving and restoring habitats, having nature as part of the company’s identity and strategy, and having a positive and tangible impact. Source: GlobeScan Navigating … “Insight of the Week: Patagonia Is Most Recognized by Experts for Its Leadership on Nature Protection”

Millennials and Gen Z around the world are more likely than Gen X and Baby Boomers+ to say extreme poverty is “very serious.” Along with younger people, those with low incomes and people living in rural areas are also more concerned about the issue than those with higher incomes and those living in urban or suburban areas. Regionally, Latin Americans surveyed express the most concern about extreme poverty, whereas people in Asia and North America tend to be much less … “Insight of the Week: Younger Generations Are Most Concerned about Extreme Poverty”

In the G7 economies, around eight in ten Gen Z and Millennial shareholders view economic inequality as a significant investment risk. Older generations are somewhat less likely to share this concern, although nearly two-thirds of Baby Boomers and older also agree. Concern about the impact of economic inequality on investments is strong in all the G7 markets, with just over seven in ten shareholders on average agreeing that the issue poses a significant investment risk. Source: GlobeScan Radar report (survey of 29,293 people in … “Insight of the Week: Eight in Ten Young Shareholders ​Say Economic Inequality Is a Major Investment Risk “

People in Africa and in Latin America are most supportive of companies advocating for democracy, where seven in ten agree that companies should actively promote democracy. In contrast, just over half of North Americans agree. This could suggest higher interest in corporate advocacy from citizens in emerging markets, particularly around models that work to create more equitable societies. Source: GlobeScan Radar Trends Report (survey of 29,293 people in the general public in June ‒ July 2022)

Nearly two-thirds of people in countries surveyed in Africa / Middle East and Asia-Pacific are optimistic that future generations will enjoy a higher quality of life than they do today.  In contrast, only one in three Europeans and four in ten Latin Americans and North Americans are optimistic about higher quality of life for their children and grandchildren. Source: GlobeScan Radar Trends Report (survey of 29,293 people in the general public in June ‒ July 2022)