Yes, that’s true, India has been voted the most environment friendly & green country in the world by none other than National Geographic. The Annual Survey “Greendex” carried out by Nat Geo and Globescan shows that out of 17 main economies surveyed India does least to harm the our environment.
Greendex has derived these results based on people’s transportation patterns, household energy and resource use, consumption of food and everyday consumer goods, and what consumers do to minimize the impact these activities have on the environment.
The Most Environment Friendly Countries in the world
Key Indian Highlights on Greendex Report
- India has ranked 1st on Greendex for 2nd time in a row and have also showed greatest increase in the score from last year (3.2 points).
- Indians are less likely to have home heating and hot running water (42 percent for both), and many who do commonly use on-demand electrical water heaters (44 percent versus the 17-country average of 13 percent).
- India Ranks top on transportation Sub Index as Indians tend not to have large vehicles who typically are gas guzzlers (49 percent neither own, rent, nor lease cars or trucks); furthermore, those who do seldom drive alone (13 percent—versus the average of 38 percent—down from 19 percent in 2009).
- Indians prefer motorcycles or scooters (67 percent) or use public transportation (81 percent do so at least once a month). After the Chinese, Indians are the 2nd most likely to choose to live close to their destinations (59%), and they are among the most likely to prefer to walk or cycle to their usual destinations (63 %).
- 35% Indians eat self grown food several times a week or daily, more than any other country in the world. Also, Consumers in India rarely consume meat, including chicken (24%), fish & seafood (21%) and beef (13%).
- When it comes Goods Sub-index, India again ranks at top as Indian consumers prefer to buy used rather than new (42%) and to repair rather than to replace (68%). They also increasingly buy products that are environmentally friendly (60%).
- Indians are also becoming increasingly concerned about environmental problems in general (76%). More Indians feel guilty about their impact on the environment (58%). In particular, they are more likely than most to worry about climate change or global warming (83%), fresh water shortage (85%), and loss of species and habitat (70%).
Now a big question to readers which I am sure must have come to your mind already. Are these “environmentally friendly habits” of Indians more out of compulsion (like money, traffic, roads etc. ) or by choice ? What say ?