Many of us are very concerned about the environment and want to try to do the right things as we go about our daily lives.  New research from the University of Gothenburg shows that we tend to overestimate just how much we are actually doing.

A study of over 4,000 people in United States, England, India, and

Sweden revealed that most people are convinced that they act more

environmentally friendly than the average person.  Their actions might include buying

eco-labelled products, saving household energy, recycling, driving a hybrid or

electric car, and reducing purchases of plastic bags.  Participants in the survey rated themselves

as more environmentally active than other people, including both unknown people

as well as their own friends.

The results are in keeping with a general tendency people have to

overestimate their own abilities. 

Studies over the years have shown that most people consider themselves,

for example, to be more honest, more creative, and better drivers than

others.  This sort of over-optimism

apparently also applies to environmentally friendly behaviors.

The data from the survey revealed that the participants were more

likely to overestimate their engagement in activities they perform often and

draw the faulty conclusion that the things they do often, they in fact do more

often than others.

A consequence of thinking that you are more environmentally friendly

than other people is that it can reduce the motivation to act environmentally

friendly in the future.  In fact, when we

think we are more environmentally friendly than others, we actually end up

becoming less environmentally friendly.

Logically speaking, the majority of people cannot be more

environmentally friendly than the average person.  We are not living in Lake Wobegone where all

children are above average.

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The majority consider themselves more environmentally friendly than others

Photo, posted March 6, 2014, courtesy of Karlis Dambrans via Flickr.

Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio.