Dive Summary:
- Despite concern about the environment being on the rise with the economy, 59% of Americans reported in a March 2013 Harris Poll that they see organic labels on food or other products as an excuse to charge more.
- More than half of Americans believe that foods labeled as organic are healthier than those that aren't, despite recent research showing that organic produce and meat isn't necessarily any healthier than foods without that labeling in terms of vitamin and nutrient content.
- Overall, Americans are also evenly divided when it comes to the ease or difficulty of living a "green" lifestyle, and while 80% say they would seek out green products, only 30% report that they are willing to pay extra for those items.
From the article:
... "What surprised us most was that while Americans are showing more concern for the environment, they aren't necessarily willing to pay more to do anything about it," says Mike de Vere, president of the Harris Poll. "While Americans feel better about the economy, many are wary of the 'greenwashing' concept that gives companies a chance to cash in on consumers who want to help the planet but are confused by all the eco-friendly jargon." ...
