Protecting Animals from Extinction is the #1 Environmental Concern for Canadian Kids

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Apr 13, 2015, 07:30 ET

WOODBRIDGE, ON, April 13, 2015 /CNW/ - Today Earth Rangers announced the results of an Ipsos Reid study on Canadian kids' awareness, attitudes and behaviours towards environmental issues. The study incorporated feedback from 1,200 children from across Canada, both Earth Rangers members and non-members aged 8 to 11.

The study not only shows that Canadian kids have a high level of awareness and concern for environmental issues but, more importantly, that when given the opportunity to make a tangible contribution through programs like Earth Rangers, kids become more engaged, more confident and more optimistic in their ability to protect animals, their habitats and the health of our planet.

"Earth Rangers' mission is to educate and empower children to take action to protect wildlife and the environment," says Peter Kendall, Executive Director of Earth Rangers. "We commissioned this study because we wanted to know which environmental issues resonate most strongly with kids and how actively engaged they are. We were very pleased to learn that, not only are kids passionate about our natural world and ready to take action, but that when given the opportunity to make a difference, they become more confident, socially concerned citizens."

Survey result highlights:

1.	The #1 environmental concern for all kids across the country is protecting animals from extinction.
	69% of kids consider this issue very important, ahead of litter (63%), air pollution (61%), water pollution (61%), energy waste (49%) and climate change (39%)
2.	There is a high level of awareness amongst kids for key environmental issues such as litter, animal extinction, energy waste, and air and water pollution.
	More than two-thirds of kids are aware of these issues, and awareness is even more pronounced among Earth Rangers members
3.	80% of kids believe they can make a positive difference for animals and the environment.
	This is more pronounced among Earth Rangers members, with 90% of members (vs. 69% of non-members) being confident in their own ability to have a direct impact on the future survival of animals
4.	The majority of kids have done environmentally-friendly activities in the past year.
	86% have used reusable water bottles 77% have saved water by not running the tap too long 75% have picked up litter 50% have recycled batteries
5.	84% of all kids report having influenced the environmental behaviours of their parents.

6.	Significantly more Earth Rangers report being actively involved in actions that are helping to save animals and their habitats.
	58% of Earth Rangers members vs. 9% of non-members
7.	More Earth Rangers members believe that it is "very important" to help protect the environment.
	91% of Earth Rangers members vs. 78% of non-members
8.	Earth Rangers are more confident and optimistic about the impact kids can have on the environment.
	85% of Earth Rangers members vs. 55% of non-members believe kids can make a positive difference to the health of our planet
9.	More Earth Rangers believe that it is "very important" to take action to help the environment.
	Protecting animals from extinction: 94% of Earth Rangers members vs. 72% of non-members Recycling: 89% of Earth Rangers members vs. 79% of non-members Saving water and energy: 86% of Earth Rangers members vs. 75% of non-members
10.	Participation in Earth Rangers stimulates a greater concern for all social issues, beyond protecting animals and the environment. More Earth Rangers members report:
	Collecting food for food banks (77% vs. 59%) Raising money for good causes (79% vs. 52%) Helping homeless people (79% vs. 53%) Building schools in underdeveloped countries (67% vs. 42%) Volunteering (56% vs. 38%)

Support assets including videos and photos are available to download: www.earthrangers.org/media-support-assets/

Methodology: These are the findings of an Ipsos poll conducted on behalf of Earth Rangers from January 13 to February 2, 2015. For the survey, a sample of 1,200 kids aged 8 to 11 was interviewed online. 601 of the kids were interviewed via the Ipsos I-Say panel, while 599 were interviewed online with sample provided by Earth Rangers. The accuracy of Ipsos polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the results are considered accurate to within +/- 4 percentage points of what the results would be had the entire population of kids aged 8 to 11 in Canada been polled.

About Earth Rangers: Earth Rangers is the kids' conservation organization dedicated to educating children and families about biodiversity and inspiring them to become directly involved in protecting animals and the natural spaces they need to survive. Earth Rangers has nearly 100,000 members spread across every province and territory in Canada. To learn more visit www.earthrangers.com

SOURCE Earth Rangers

Video with caption: "Video: The future of animals is at risk. Earth Rangers provides children with opportunities to make a direct and positive impact to the survival of animals (CNW Group/Earth Rangers)". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20150413_C4603_VIDEO_EN_14185.mp4&posterurl=http%3A%2F%2Fphotos.newswire.ca%2Fimages%2F20150413_C4603_VIDEO_EN_14185.jpg&order=1&jdd=20150413&cnum=C4603

Image with caption: "Earth Rangers visits over 600 schools across the country each year with a compelling, interactive, live show that educates students about the importance of protecting biodiversity. The program incorporates Animal Ambassadors to connect students to environmental issues facing wildlife and their habitats. (CNW Group/Earth Rangers)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150413_C4603_PHOTO_EN_14186.jpg

Image with caption: "Earth Rangers provides children with opportunities to become directly involved in protecting animals by identifying animals with populations in decline and developing conservation projects that address the threats facing these species. Earth Ranger Rosie participated in a community bazaar to raise funds to protect the Western Bumble Bee. (CNW Group/Earth Rangers)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150413_C4603_PHOTO_EN_14187.jpg