Environmental Attitudes and Regional Concerns

Tiny fragments of plastic drift through the ocean, highlighting the pervasive issue of microplastic pollution in marine environments.

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“Water Quality, Microplastics Top Environmental Concerns for Great Lakes Residents”

The Great Lakes make up 20% of the earth’s fresh surface water and is the source of drinking water for 40 million residents. They contribute to a thriving economy and support industries like commercial fisheries, agriculture and tourism, to name a few. In a time where a changing climate is increasing droughts and heat waves that are impacting lives in ever-evolving ways, protecting such an essential and immense resource as the Great Lakes is vital. Fortunately, people in the region recognize this need for conservation and stewardship.

The 2024 EcoFocus Research Sustainability Survey finds that residents in the U.S. Great Lakes states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York (the U.S. Great Lakes region) express substantial concern with environmental issues. 78% of residents are worried about climate change threats and 73% about fossil fuel extraction. Their concern with these environmental issues notably exceeds that found in the rest of the United States. 

When asked about more specific environmental concerns, water-related issues were among high environmental priorities, reflecting the region’s connection to their critical freshwater resources. Core concerns focus heavily on water pollution (69%) and plastic debris in oceans and waterways (70%), showing nearly identical levels of concern for these related issues. Looking more specifically, the concern extends to microplastics, with 51% very or extremely concerned about their presence in water, food, and air. Similarly, 45% show high concern about plastic used in packaging for food or water (Graph 1.1).

There is broad consensus in the region that climate change is influenced by human activity. A combined 79% acknowledge human influence on climate change, with this split between primarily human-caused (42%) and partially human-caused (37%; Graph 1.2). 

As a logical consequence of accepting human influence on climate change, residents report their willingness to act to mitigate their impact: most of the residents in the region (80%) factor environmental reasons into their purchasing decisions and product use. 

But environmental consciousness does not exist in a vacuum. Just as in the rest of the U.S., residents of the Great Lakes region must balance their commitments and actions with their economic constraints in mind.  Despite the clear environmental concern expressed, economic issues dominate. Nine in ten (91%) worried about the national economy and 84% about their families’ financial security, both aspects closely intertwined (Graph 1.3).

What this means for businesses: 

The data clearly indicates that Great Lakes region residents maintain strong concerns about environmental threats to their watershed and potential impacts on health and well-being, while balancing their financial situation. For businesses and organizations to stand out, they need to communicate to their customers, potential customers, and employees how they are making a positive environmental impact, especially relating to safeguarding the Great Lakes watershed.

What can you do about it:

Reducing plastic in the Great Lakes starts with everyday choices. Avoid single-use plastics by opting for reusable bags, bottles, and containers, properly recycle and dispose of waste to prevent litter, and support businesses that use sustainable packaging and advocate for local bans on harmful plastics. Together, these small actions can make a big difference in preserving the Great Lakes’ health and beauty.

This is part 1 of a 3-part series exploring environmental sentiment, knowledge, and actions of residents in the U.S. Great Lakes region. Findings are derived from data gathered in the EcoFocus Research 2024 Sustainability Survey. Read articles 2 and 3.