Consumers across the Middle East and North Africa are changing their lifestyle and shopping habits as they become more environmentally aware, according to a new survey from Yahoo! Maktoob Research. The online poll canvassed opinion on environmental issues across the Arab world in advance of the annual global Earth Day this Friday, April 22.

The survey showed that people across the Middle East and North Africa are well informed about environmental issues with more than 60% of those polled concerned about the environment and agreeing that the seriousness of global warming is generally underestimated.

About half of the respondents in the Middle East and North Africa expressed dissatisfaction with the deteriorating environment in their home country.

Tamara Deprez, Head of Yahoo! Maktoob Research, said, "There is an ongoing debate in green circles over whether the Middle East and North Africa is really taking climate change and risks of environmental pollution seriously, and it's interesting to see that the level of awareness is indeed high in the region with many intending to take personal actions to become more environmentally conscious."

Across the Arab world, eighty percent of people polled were aware that the earth's rising temperature is mainly triggered by the effects of pollution. According to the poll, greater awareness and understanding of environmental issues is changing the way people live and shop.

The Yahoo! Maktoob Research survey said that 44% of consumers in the region have changed their purchasing behavior by choosing products which they believed to be more environmentally friendly, while the majority of respondents - 60% - agreed that the environment is a very important factor in their purchasing decisions.

At home people are making an effort to reduce their carbon footprint. About seven out of ten consumers consciously attempt to reduce their household's usage of energy, while nearly half of households (46%) use water saving devices to improve water efficiency and reduce water consumption.

Celebrating Earth Day

The Middle East and North Africa is reaffirming its commitment to improve the environment celebrating Earth Day on April 22. Earth Day has spread across the globe with thousands of events in more than 180 countries.

Seventy-eight percent of respondents in the region are aware of Earth Day, the Yahoo! Maktoob Research poll said.

While Moroccans seem to be most knowledgeable about Earth Day celebrations (75%), Algerians and Iraqis (26%) fall drastically behind regarding Earth Day awareness, the poll revealed.

The short online poll had a sample of 1,700 consumers aged 15 and older from 14 Arab countries. A minimum of 100 consumers per country were interviewed through the Yahoo! Maktoob Research community.

A host of related opinion polls and surveys can be found through Arab Eye (www.arab-eye.com), the Yahoo! Maktoob Research community - accessible online through the new Yahoo! Maktoob homepage for the Middle East (maktoob.yahoo.com) presented in both English and Arabic.
.