GenXers surpass baby boomers with largest carbon footprint: B.C. Hydro study
Move over Baby Boomers because Generation X now has the biggest carbon footprint of any generation in B.C.
A newly-released report from B.C. Hydro shows Generation X residents, ages 42 to 57, are most likely to live in large, detached, single-family homes that have the most greenhouse gas implications when compared to the other generations.
“The average home size of Gen X is between 1,500 to 2,000 square feet – twice as large as Millennials,” said Susie Rieder, B.C. Hydro spokesperson, in a press release issued by the Crown corporation.
“Bigger homes often mean greater energy use and emissions, especially when it comes to home heating with natural gas, which is often the largest contributor.”
While almost a quarter of Gen X think their generation cares the most about the environment and impacts of climate change, more than half of those studied admitted they could be doing more to reduce their carbon footprint.
Gen X is also less willing to make sacrifices than Millennials, ages 26-41 years-old, like giving up gas-powered elements in their lives.
The older generation is nearly 60 per cent less likely to give up driving a gas-powered vehicle than Millennials, and almost 90 per cent less likely to give up using gas appliances than Millennials, according to the report.
Of British Columbians, Gen X is the most likely to use natural gas heating at home and the least likely to be willing to give it up, as well as several other gas-powered appliances and equipment including water heaters, kitchen appliances, fireplaces, lawnmowers, weed whackers, pressure washers, leaf blowers and patio heaters.
The full report can be read here.
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