Sorry kids, 72% of parents think they’re leaving you a bad future

NEW YORK — Are adults today leaving a better world for the children of tomorrow? Most don’t think so. A new poll finds over seven in 10 parents (72%) are concerned about what the world will look like for their children in the years to come.

The survey of 2,000 parents of kids under 18 saw a quarter paint a bleak picture of Earth’s future climate, saying that the failing environment will be more concerning than the future job market (11%), the quality of food available in the future (10%), or even the political landscape of 2025 and beyond (5%).

How are parents preparing for a better future?

The survey found that good habits start in the home for 41% who say it’s a high priority for their household to practice sustainability and nearly all parents surveyed encourage their kids not to be wasteful (89%).

According to the survey conducted by Talker Research for the Chinet brand, some of the common sustainability lessons parents pass down are to turn the lights off when not in the room (59%), don’t leave water running for long periods of time (55%), and to only use what they need (52%).

Others encourage their kids to avoid littering (50%) and to pass down old toys and clothes (46%). Many parents are also practicing what they preach — as one in four have actually stopped being friends with someone over their sustainability habits or lack thereof (27%).

For many parents, sharing similar views is important for relationship-building in adulthood, especially when it comes to lifestyle choices (53%), music (48%), and environmentalism (17%). Among parenting methods (29%) and financial habits (21%), differences in the way others feel about the environment can also be a dealbreaker for some moms and dads.

Why the commitment to environmentalism? The results show that 72% believe their generation has a high responsibility to make efforts to be more sustainable to benefit the next generation before it’s too late.

According to 35% of the respondents, being sustainable is easier with older children in the house than younger children. However, doing the right thing isn’t always easy, no matter their child’s age: one in six admit they have a hard time practicing sustainability in their household.

When shopping for their children, nearly five times as many parents admit that they think about convenience and time-saving options more than sustainability. Even more respondents prioritize cost-effectiveness, although sustainability ranks similarly in priority to choosing organic products.

“We know that parents are always strapped for time,” says Melissa Rakos, product manager for the Chinet brand, in a statement. “It can be challenging to balance time-saving tactics with sustainability goals while managing the hustle and bustle of daily life.”

Parents find themselves purchasing items that can be considered wasteful every month for their kids like frozen food (58%), tissues or paper towels (57%), and single-serve juice pouches (45%). Respondents also admitted that waste isn’t top of mind especially when using tissues and paper towels (32%) or single-serve snacks (32%).

However, parents are also prepared to put their money where their mouth is.

When asked how much more they’d pay for sustainable versions of everyday items, the average parent said they’d spend 46% more for better tableware, 43% more for sustainable tissues and paper towels, and a whopping 53% more for greener clothes.

Despite these higher costs, many parents are hopeful that teaching their kids about sustainability will pay off, with nearly half believing that the next generation of adults will be more sustainable (48%).

“Leading by example is a great way to teach children about sustainability,” Rakos contends. “Even if that means making small changes like choosing more sustainable disposable products, and showing your children how you recycle or compost, those changes will add up over time.”