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Adolescents (symbol image)
Photo:
Frank Rumpenhorst / picture alliance / dpa
According to a study, young people in Germany are not as "green" as one would expect given the numerous environmental protests.
Around 60 percent of 14 to 29 year olds are still regularly driving a private car, as the trend study »Youth in Germany« published in Berlin on Monday shows.
Over 80 percent cannot imagine a life without a car and without the consumption of animal products.
According to this, only 18 percent of those surveyed are willing to do without their own car permanently.
A little more than a quarter (27 percent) no longer want to fly.
Further results:
Avoiding disposable
plastic
products
meets with a high level of approval among young people
- 65 percent support this.
The
purchase of used instead of new goods
40 percent can imagine, the
purchase of fair trade products
or food organically produced advocate 36 percent each.
When it comes to eating habits, the majority of respondents (56 percent) eat without restrictions, but 44 percent also try
alternative forms of nutrition
.
Around a quarter (26 percent) are willing to consistently forego meat.
On the other hand, only 16 percent want to do without all animal products permanently.
"The greatest antagonist of change is the comfort zone of the welfare state, in which the younger generation has set up comfortably following the example of their parents," explained the educational researcher and co-author of the study, Klaus Hurrelmann.
Under these circumstances, the climate protection, which the majority of young people advocated, could "only succeed with clear rules and guidelines from politicians".
"Youth in Germany"
Expand areaWho created the study?
The youth researchers Klaus Hurrelmann and Simon Schnetzer are behind the investigation.
The study is carried out twice a year on current topics for young people.
Area How meaningful is the data? Expand
In mid-October 2021, 1,014 young people between the ages of 14 and 29 were surveyed.
According to the authors, the results are representative for these age groups in Germany.
Nonetheless, climate change is one of the great future concerns of young people.
56 percent of those questioned are worried about this.
Almost every second person (48 percent) worries about a collapse of the pension system.
Compared to previous surveys, this topic has a higher priority.
The division in society that dominated the previous survey in the summer of 2021 is currently driving 44 percent.
more on the subject
Growing dissatisfaction: majority of young people demand corona vaccination by Armin Himmelrath
As the study also shows, the corona shock is only slowly subsiding.
40 percent of those surveyed are currently still complaining about impairments to their psychological well-being.
They suffer from a loss of control in everyday life (37 percent), deterioration in personal relationships (29 percent) and their educational and professional careers (20 percent).
him / AFP
