Canadians greener gift givers than Americans

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Nov. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ - The results of a Harris / Decima poll released this month point to the environment being an important factor Canadians consider when giving gifts. While the annual survey shows that the gap is closing, Canadian adults are still five per cent more likely than their U.S. counterparts to prefer giving (73 per cent Canada versus 68 per cent U.S.) and receiving (74 per cent Canada versus 69 per cent U.S.) gifts that benefit the environment. The same poll conducted in 2010 indicated Canadians were ten per cent more likely to prefer giving environmental gifts and nine per cent more likely to prefer receiving environmental gifts than Americans.

Conducted annually on behalf of World Vision, the charitable giving study explores how Canadians define an environmentally friendly gift:

• 80 per cent of Canadian adults agree that an environmentally friendly gift consists of recycled or recyclable materials (versus 70 per cent in the U.S.)
• 72 per cent of Canadian adults view a gift that enables the recipient to reduce their environmental impact to be environmentally friendly (versus 62 per cent in the U.S.)
• 70 per cent in Canada say that locally made or locally grown makes a gift environmentally friendly (versus 63 per cent in the U.S.)

Zaya Kuyena of Etobicoke, Ont., is a Canadian who gives green gifts. "This year I am giving my parents the solar power gift in the World Vision Gift Catalogue, which I know they'll be really excited to receive," says Kuyena. "Through this gift, solar power will be donated to a family overseas in my parents' names. So they are supporting the environment and helping change a family's life."

Gifts in the World Vision Gift Catalogue provide tangible donations on behalf of the gift recipient. These items are locally sourced when possible. For example, fruit trees and livestock are purchased from local markets. 

Many options allow children and families to lift themselves out of poverty in an eco-conscious way, while reducing their environmental impact, such as the gift of solar power, a safe eco-friendly stove or fruit trees.  Additional environmental gift options can be found at www.worldvision.ca/gifts.

This annual study of charitable gift giving was conducted by telephone within Canada and the United States by Harris Interactive in the U.S. and Harris/Decima in Canada, on behalf of World Vision between October 27 and October 31, 2011 among 1,021 Canadian adults 18+ between October 26 and October 30, 2011 and among 1,007 U.S. adults 18+. Data in the polls were weighted to be representative of the entire population.

Full study results are available by contacting World Vision or by visiting www.worldvision.ca/gcnewsroom

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. Visit our News Centre worldvision.ca

Additional Link:
www.worldvision.ca/gifts

SOURCE World Vision Canada

Video with caption: "Two Hens and a Rooster through the World Vision Gift Catalogue, an example of an environmentally friendly gift, chickens are locally sourced.". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20111121_C7831_VIDEO_EN_6998.mp4&posterurl=http://photos.newswire.ca/images/20111121_C7831_PHOTO_EN_6998.jpg&clientName=World%20Vision%20Canada&caption=Two%20Hens%20and%20a%20Rooster%20through%20the%20World%20Vision%20Gift%20Catalogue%2C%20an%20example%20of%20an%20environmentally%20friendly%20gift%2C%20chickens%20are%20locally%20sourced%2E&title=WORLD%20VISION%20CANADA%20%2D%20Canadians%20greener%20gift%20givers%20than%20America

Image with caption: "A recent poll indicates a strong Canadian preference towards giving and receiving environmentally friendly gifts. Fruit trees from the World Vision Gift Catalogue is an example of an environmentally-friendly gift. Trees are locally sourced and they help benefit the environment by absorbing carbon and producing oxygen. (CNW Group/World Vision Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20111121_C7831_PHOTO_EN_6996.jpg

Image with caption: "A recent poll indicates a strong Canadian preference towards giving and receiving environmentally friendly gifts. Solar Power from the World Vision Gift Catalogue is an example of an environmentally friendly gift. (CNW Group/World Vision Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20111121_C7831_PHOTO_EN_6997.jpg