Are millennials really that green?
I was very struck by the above photo showing the aftermath of the Glastonbury festival. Every year we hear how Glastonbury is more than just a big series of concerts, that it has a spiritual dimension, has a strong environmental message, is the crux of ‘the new politics’ etc, etc. But the picture suggests if you want a symbol of our consumerist, wasteful, throwaway society, you couldn’t go to a better place.
Then I came across a stat on edie.net this morning that over-55s are much better at recycling than 18-25 year olds. This flies in the face of the assumption that the millennial generation is inherently green and ‘gets it’.
The intention might be there – this is the age group most likely to vote Green – but when it comes to practice, it seems the younger generation isn’t quite where they think they are. I wonder if that couple in the picture is saying a fond farewell or shedding a tear for the future.
I am turning into a grumpy old man!
Picture © EPA used under fair use.