Young people are concerned about the use of pesticides in agriculture and are calling on politicians to take action. They want more ecosystems in the field and are working on greater support for their farms. They give and show importance to the environment by conducting surveys for environmental protection.
Consumers put pressure on politicians
Agricultural chemicals are a continuing topic of environmental controversy. For years, many consumers in EU-wide surveys have listed pesticides as one of the greatest food risks. The lack of synthetic crop protection is also well-studied as a reason to buy organic foods.
Initiatives to reduce the use of pesticides, such as in Switzerland and France, show considerable potential for support among the population. And the growing awareness of the problem of insect protection also suggests that environmental risks are becoming more important.
Young people particularly concerned
Current youth studies and the Fridays for Future movement show a high level of climate protection awareness among young people and young adults. Due to a lack of studies, it was largely unclear to what extent pesticides still pose a problem for this age group. How do the majority of young people in Germany see agriculture and its effects on environmental protection and species protection?
Is the use of pesticides even an issue for the under30 generation? To find the answer, in October 2021, 1,131 young adults were interviewed, especially for the pesticide atlas. The interviews and surveys are posted online, on different websites (see https://outreachmonks.com/guest-posting-services/), etc. to show and study different results. Online surveys of the 16-29 age group are presented according to respondents’ gender, education, and regional distribution.
Wide range
The result is a picture of a generation that recognizes the limits of the planet and demands more commitment from politicians so that agriculture can produce food in an environmentally friendly way. There is a great deal of interest in production. Only a few (7.2%) of the young respondents said they were not interested in this subject.
There is a high awareness of the risks of using pesticides in agriculture. A good two-thirds are concerned about this and consider the operation to be dangerous. It is surprising that the main concerns are directed towards water and groundwater protection.
Skepticism about the chemical industry, appreciation for organic farming
The image of chemical plant protection and the plant protection product industry is rather bad. Organic farming, on the other hand, is considered to be sustainable and modern: many of those surveyed believe that it is particularly respectful of nature and has advantages when it comes to protecting insects.
Overall, organic is associated with clear advantages for the environment and species protection. Almost 60% say they buy organic foods for these reasons. Looking at the situation of farmers, young people face major challenges. 70% find it difficult to farm in today’s situation. People’s performance in agriculture is valued and it shows a high degree of relevance associated with the topic of fair wages.