Epson research reveals gap in perceptions about climate change

The research highlights a significant gap between the perceptions and the severity of the climate emergency.

It discovered a gap between climate reality and people’s understanding of the effects. It took global experiences and perceptions of climate from over 15,000 consumers across Australia, Asia, Europe, North America and South America.

The survey conducted by Epson Climate Reality Barometer was timed to help frame discussions at COP26 to raise public awareness of the impact of climate change and to influence business and policy decisions.

People were questioned about their views on our ability to avert a climate crisis within their lifetimes. Nearly half of respondents (46%) said they are ‘very’ or ‘somewhat’ optimistic with 27% who said they are or somewhat pessimistic.

Craig Heckenberg, Epson Australia and New Zealand MD, said “This is a wake-up call for everyone — governments, businesses and individuals — to work together, make the right decisions and inspire the right actions moving forward. One way in which Epson is helping to create a sustainable future for all of us is through our patented Heat-Free technology which uses up to 94% less energy when compared to an equivalent laser printer or copier. Heat-Free technology is already helping industries around the world move towards a more sustainable future and Epson is confident, with the support of our customers, that we can achieve the same result when it comes to printing.”

Epson believes companies can authorise other businesses and consumers with sustainability supporting innovations. Epson has significantly invested in R&D in environmental technologies including naturally derived materials (non-plastic) and the use of highly energy-efficient Heat-Free printing technology and transitioning to 100% renewable electricity, a RE100 renewable energy project and by promoting product refurbishment and reuse, and importantly engaging in high impact partnerships such as National Geographic protecting permafrost through the turn down the heat Campaign.

In Australia, 31.7% of people surveyed believed governments need to be more responsible for tackling the climate emergency with 11.7% said business need to and 4.9% who didn’t believe in climate change.

Encouragingly 12.6% saw that they are personally responsible and 36% who believe we are all responsible.

The top three actions in Australia that people say they are already doing are:

• Improving recycling habits (74.3%)
• Reducing plastic use (67.5%)
• Walking or cycling more often (52.7%)
• They are also adopting new behaviours. 50.4% are planning to switch to an electric vehicle in the future, 50.4% will switch to renewable energy and 35.6% are planning to boycott unsustainable brands. 40.1% said they will never adopt a plant-based diet

The Epson Climate Reality Barometer shows that there is a long way to go if we are to avert irreversible climate change. There needs to be a better understanding and the collective desire to change.

Epson believes by working together we can build a better future, and for business, it is time to act is now.

“The discovery of the Climate Reality Deficit shows that awareness coupled with action, will be critical to tackling the emergency. Epson’s goal is to bring this awareness and the technologies needed — by our company, other businesses and consumers — to action transformational change. Sustainability is central to our business plan and backed by significant resources — because while we know there is a long way to go, we believe we can build a better future.” Yasunori Ogawa, global president of Epson.

Photo: Professor Katey Walter Anthony performing research in the Arctic as part of Epson's Turn Down the Heat Campaign with National Geographic to protect permafrost.

Photo Credit National Geographic.