Additionally, consumers believe that corporations owe it to them to engage in sustainable and environmentally conscious business practices. In addition to pollution concerns, Americans are increasingly concerned over product packaging and transportation. With this in mind, consumers say they will either "reward" (purchase) or punish companies based on their actions.

1. Interest in the environment is growing. Eighty-eight percent of respondents are as interested or more interested in the environment today than they were a year ago.

About the same interest	56%
Higher interest	32%
Less interest	13%

2. Consumers have high expectations for companies to be environmentally responsible.

Americans have a more positive image of a company when it is environmentally responsible	91%
Americans believe companies have a responsibility to help preserve the environment	93%
Americans would consider switching to another company's products or services if they found out about a company's negative corporate responsibility practices	85%

3. Americans believe the following ways companies can support/preserve the environment are important:

Reduce pollution through office and manufacturing operations	71%
Design products/packaging with more environmentally friendly contents and minimal packaging	69%
Distribute and transport products more efficiently	69%
Communicate environmental efforts to consumers and employees so each group can support those efforts	62%
Donate money/services to support environmental causes	59%
Lobby for environmentally friendly policies	57%

4. A large number of Americans are now environmental "doers." In the past 12 months, they have:

Purchased environmentally friendly products/services	47%
Donated to an organization that supports environmental causes	21%
Advocated for environmental issues	18%
Volunteered for an organization that supports environmental causes	11%

5. The environmentally friendly products they have purchased include:

Products with recycled content	62%
Energy-efficient home improvement products	56%
Cleaning supplies	48%
Organic, fair trade or other third-party certified foods/beverages	24%
Energy-efficient car	13%
Green apparel	10%

6. Americans indicate the following factors would motivate them to pay more for environmentally friendly products.

Save money in the long-term	72%
Shopping convenience/readily-available	63%
Health and welfare of future generations	63%
Making a difference	58%
Health benefits	58%
Pressure from friends, family or community	22%

7. Individuals are also quite proactive in intentionally reducing their impact on the environment.

Conserve energy	93%
Recycle	89%
Conserve water	86%
Tell family and friends about environmental issues	70%
Use public transportation/carpool/walk/ride a bike/energy- efficient vehicle	61%
Purchase carbon off-sets	34%

8. When hearing directly from companies, Americans prefer they communicate their social and environmental issues and practices through the following channels:

	2007	2004
Advertising	45%	41%
Company Web site	41%	32%
On a Product's Package	34%	38%
Brochures or Newsletters	27%	36%
Email	23%	20%
Direct Mail	22%	21%
New Media (e.g., blogs, message boards, online videos)	18%	NA
In-Store Signage	16%	21%
Event	13%	12%
Employees	12%	NA
Annual Reports	12%	30%

9. Americans are using the Internet and other forms of technology to learn about and support social and environmental issues and causes.

Forward a message to family and friends	38%
Search for information	37%
Engage in grassroots activism	22%
Join or visit social networking sites	16%
Donate money online	13%
Blog (as a reader or active participant)	11%
Listen to podcasts	10%
Use a mobile device to support causes or access information	6%

About the Survey

The 2007 Cone Consumer Environmental Survey presents the findings of an online survey conducted March 29, 2007, by Opinion Research Corporation among a sample of 1,066 adults comprising 499 men and 567 women 18 years of age and older. The margin of error associated with a sample size of 1,000 is +/- 3%. Corporate environmental case highlights are available upon request.

(Source: Interbrand)