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Glaswegians not doing enough to save the planet, new National Lottery research reveals

TV naturalist Chris Packham, a fervent environmental campaigner, is urging Glaswegians change their ways in light of The National Lottery's new research
TV naturalist Chris Packham, a fervent environmental campaigner, is urging Glaswegians change their ways in light of The National Lottery's new research

Honest Glaswegians admit they are not doing enough to be green.

Alarming new research reveals more than seven in ten in the city believe their planet-saving exploits are falling short of the mark – the highest of any city surveyed across the UK.

A whopping 73 per cent of Glaswegians reckon they’re not doing enough to help the environment, with one in 20 admitting to doing absolutely nothing and almost three in five (58 per cent) saying they do a bit but could do more.

Research from The National Lottery revealed the startling findings and TV naturalist Chris Packham, a fervent environmental campaigner, is urging the city to wake up and change their ways.

The Springwatch presenter, 59, said: “If we do want to make the future a greener – and greater – place for future generations, we do really need to start changing our behaviour today.

“It’s good that the public is being so honest about not doing enough to be environmentally friendly – but it does surprise me the figure is so high.

“Especially when it’s so easy to be green – it starts in our own homes and with our own behaviour.”

Edinburgh (72 per cent), London (72 per cent) and Sheffield (71 per cent) are among the other key cities where people admit to not doing enough to be green, with just under 73 per cent of all Scots surveyed saying they are not pulling their weight.

But cities down south believe they aren’t fairing as badly, with Plymouth (57 per cent), Cardiff (61 per cent), Bristol (63 per cent) and Brighton (64 per cent) among those on the other end of the spectrum.

The findings come as part of nationwide National Lottery research, which revealed a whopping seven in ten Brits admit they’re not doing enough to save the planet.

Over seven in ten (73 per cent) admit to using more electricity during lockdown, while over a third (34 per cent) say they have had the heating on more than ever before.

But almost half (47 per cent) still reckon the world will be a greener place for future generations, with many admitting they will change their habits for the better as restrictions finally ease.

National Lottery research also revealed the volume of Brits who want to change their ways for the better, with walking topping the list of desired new habits in a post-pandemic world.

Exactly four in ten of us plan to start racking up our step count, while using public transport – rather than a car – and holidaying locally sit joint-second at 27 per cent.

Packham, 59, hailed The National Lottery for contributing more than £2.2bn towards green projects and initiatives across heritage, art, community and sport since 2010
Packham, 59, hailed The National Lottery for contributing more than £2.2bn towards green projects and initiatives across heritage, art, community and sport since 2010

The National Lottery has contributed more than £2.2bn towards green projects and initiatives across heritage, art, community and sport since 2010.

And this week, The National Lottery are releasing a series of videos featuring five amazing Lottery-funded environmental projects.

You can watch Scottish nature organisation Cumbernauld Living Landscape demonstrate how easy it is to make a eco-friendly birdfeeder and give nature a helping hand via lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/planetary-promise.

Proud Packham added: “The National Lottery has given a staggering amount of funding to help communities at a local and regional level to tackle climate change.

“And it’s thanks to National Lottery players – who raise £30 million a week for good causes – that this work can happen.”

The National Lottery is encouraging the public to make a vital contribution to the future of our planet by making a #PlanetaryPromise on social media between Monday 19th April – 23rd April. The #PlanetaryPromise is a chance for you to do your bit for the environment by making a conscious commitment to either start or stop something that could be helping or harming our planet. To find out more, visit https://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/stories/planetary-promise