Not in my backyard! Canadians paint rosy picture of local environment in new
public opinion survey

OTTAWA, Oct. 18 /CNW/ - Environmental organizations say a new public opinion survey reveals a troubling disconnect between Canadians' concerns for the global environment and their awareness of local environmental issues.

The Vital Signs National Public Opinion Survey, which was commissioned by Community Foundations of Canada (CFC) and conducted by the Environics Research Group, shows Canadians are generally positive about the quality of the environment in their own community, even though they rate the environment as the top problem facing the world today.ⁱ

"Canadians seem to be viewing environmental problems as issues that occur somewhere else, but not in their own backyard," says Dr. Rick Smith, Executive Director of Environmental Defence.

Canadians give strong ratings (excellent or good) to all areas of the local environment: water quality (80%), air quality (74%), protection of local wildlife and green spaces (68%), waste management (68%), and quality of water in lakes and rivers (56%). In addition, close to half (48%) believe the quality of the local environment is not changing over time, but the remainder - by a two-to-one margin - say it is getting better (34%) rather than worse (16%).

Contrast to global stats

These findings are in stark contrast to a recent Canadian Environmental Barometer survey, where more than seven in ten Canadians said they were definitely, if not extremely, concerned about such issues as air quality, water quality and toxic chemicals in the environment. 

"Canadians have voiced these concerns for years, but they tend to be focused at a national or global level," says Keith Neuman, Group Vice President - Public Affairs, Environics Research Group. "When attention is turned to where people live, opinions are decidedly more positive."

"We need to work hard to make sure Canadians know local actions have global impact. And vice versa," says Gerald Butts, President and CEO of World Wildlife Fund - Canada.

Those issues include:

• Greenhouse gas emissions from personal vehicles, which have risen by almost one-third in Canada since the early 1990sⁱⁱ.
• The Alberta Tar Sands, called the fastest growing source of global warming pollution in Canada, will affect all Canadians no matter where they live because of its sheer scale. ⁱⁱⁱ
• Record algae blooms in the Lake Winnipeg watershed - and across North America -  this summer, causing illness in people and pets^iv
• The more than 213 billion litres of water wasted by Canadians every year (roughly equivalent to the City of Toronto's annual water use) due to low efficiency toilets^v
• And the most personal example of all: the toxins that can now be found in our bodies, such as bisphenol A, which a recent survey found in 91 per cent of Canadians aged six to 79^vi.

Canadians can make a difference, but are unmotivated to act

When asked who has the most responsibility for the quality of the local environment, Canadians identified various levels of government (66%) but also saw a significant role for citizens (54%). Close to half of Canadians also feel citizens can make a major difference (48%) in improving local environmental quality, with most of the remainder (38%) indicating they can make "some" difference. However, our lack of motivation and/or an unwillingness to change our lifestyle is cited as the biggest obstacle to reducing our environmental impact.

"Community foundations across Canada have seen the impact citizens can have when they join forces around environmental issues," says Monica Patten, President and CEO of Community Foundations of Canada. "These findings will assist and encourage our members to explore even more opportunities to support local environmental action."

About Vital Signs and the 2010 National Public Opinion Survey

Full findings, charts and methodology, are available at www.vitalsignscanada.ca along with examples of how community foundations are tackling environmental issues. Vital Signs is part of a growing, nation-wide initiative by Canadian community foundations to measure quality of life and take action to improve it. Sixteen community foundations released local Vital Signs report cards on October 5, along with a national snapshot published by CFC.

About Community Foundations

Canada's 170 community foundations are local charitable foundations that help Canadians invest in building strong and resilient places to live, work, and play. They are one of the largest supporters of Canadian charities, providing $144 million to local organizations in 2009. Visit www.cfc-fcc.ca.

Note to Editors: Stories of local environmental action can be found at www.vitalsignscanada.ca.

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ⁱ Environics Research (2008) Canada's World Polls.

ⁱⁱ Statistics Canada (2010). Study: Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Private Vehicles. The Daily, Thursday, May 13, 2010.

ⁱⁱⁱ Environmental Defence (2008) Canada's Toxic Tar Sands

^iv H20: Ideas and Action for Canada's Water (2010) Toxic Algae Warnings All Over North America

^v Environmental Defence (2010) Down the Drain: Water Conservation in the Great Lakes Basin

^vi Statistics Canada (2010) The Canadian Health Measures Survey. The Daily, Monday, August 16, 2010

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