Nielsen Online recently released findings which finds that protecting the environment has become increasingly important to consumers, with online buzz around sustainability growing 50 percent in 2007. While early in the year discussion was dominated by the topic of global warming, bloggers progressively addressed a wider variety of green-related issues, with a particular emphasis on personal action such as recycling, avoiding excess packaging, and carpooling.
Jessica Hogue, research director, Nielsen Online, said "...consumers are becoming increasingly vocal online about the issue of sustainability... Blogger attention to... issues like pollution, toxins and sustainable agriculture reveal an important intersection between personal health and environmental wellness."
| Top 10 Sustainability Topics for 2007 | |
| Topic | Buzz Trend: |
| Global Warming/Climate Change | - |
| Renewable Energy/Alternative Fuels | + |
| Resource Conservation | + |
| Recycle/Reuse | + |
| Carbon Emissions | - |
| Pollution | + |
| Organics | - |
| Toxins | + |
| Packaging/Plastic | + |
| Transportation (hybrids, carpooling) | + |
| Source: Nielsen Online, BuzzMetrics | |
| Note: Topics are ranked by number of messages among sustainability bloggers from 1/1/07 to 12/31/07, with the Buzz trend reflecting change from 1/1/07 to 12/31/07. | |
Discovery Channel's TreeHugger led the top sustainability blogs for 2007
| Top 5 Sustainability Blogs for 2007 | |
| Blog | Sustainability Messages |
| TreeHugger | 4,612 |
| Worldchanging | 738 |
| Biopact | 722 |
| The Oil Drum | 706 |
| The Alternative Consumer | 698 |
| Source: Nielsen Online, BuzzMetrics | |
Not only are consumers looking for practical steps they can take to reduce personal environmental impact, but they are also holding corporations accountable for action and results, says the report. Bloggers are quick to condemn "greenwashing" - when they suspect companies misrepresent their environmental impact with aggressive PR campaigns - as spurious attempts to be "green." Consumers expect consistency in action and authentic and transparent messaging.
| Top 5 Greenwashing Topics | |
| Greenwashing Topic | Percent of Discussion |
| Contradictory Actions | 25% |
| Incongruous with Company/Industry | 21% |
| False/Misleading Comments | 19% |
| Seek Regulated Oversight | 18% |
| General Suspicion | 17% |
| Source: Nielsen Online, BuzzMetrics | |
The Nielsen Online analysis showed that similar environmental initiatives can provoke different consumer responses depending on a company's reputation and history. In the retail sector, says the study, while Wal-Mart and Target both introduced reusable shopping bags, some consumers voiced skepticism towards Wal-Mart because of its association with environmental, labor, and health care issues.
Hogue said "When it comes to the environment, consumers are insisting on both transparency and consistency from the corporations they patronize... Consumer support depends on action as well as perceived sincerity and commitment."
For more information, please visit Nielsen Online here.
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