Our environmental awareness is weakening. Debt to Earth is growing

illustration: DALL-E

According to a study commissioned by KRUK S.A., only 4 percent of Poles are aware of this. That is half as many as last year. Despite growing climate threats, our environmental awareness is weakening.

Last year, only 8 percent of respondents knew how quickly humanity depletes the Earth`s resources that can naturally renew themselves within a yearly cycle. After a 12-month gap, only 4 percent of respondents gave the correct answer.

As many as 72 percent of those surveyed believe that food, water, wood and energy intended for this year will last all Earth’s inhabitants for more than 10 years. Meanwhile, 11 percent of respondents think we will use them for the next 5 to 10 years, and 13 percent say from 1 year to 5 years.


"Our environmental awareness declines year by year, and since 2020 we have seen a clear surge in the consumer lifestyle. This is confirmed by, among other things, Statistics Poland data on household budget conditions in 2024, which show that average monthly spending per person on goods and services rose by nearly 11 percent", says Agnieszka Salach, press officer at KRUK S.A. "Just five years ago during the pandemic, we showed more reflection about the fate of the Earth and the future of next generations. We limited ourselves to buying only essentials. Debt repayment was more important. I mention this because ecological debt is just like financial debt. If we do not talk about it and raise social awareness, the consequences of inaction could be severe for us all".

How are we incurring debt to the planet?

• According to 72 percent of Poles, deforestation and the degradation of green areas have the most harmful effect on climate change.
• Slightly fewer, 71 percent, believe it is caused by pollution of air, water and soil by waste and chemicals.
• Every second respondent (57 percent) indicated that excessive greenhouse gas emissions by industry and transport are the worst for the natural environment
• as well as excessive use of non-renewable energy (48 percent).
• Almost half of us (47 percent) believe that the fashion industry and the fast fashion phenomenon negatively impact climate change.
• As many as 45 percent of respondents point to ourselves, our low ecological awareness and lack of climate education as the main reasons for environmental degradation.

"Poles` ecological awareness can be raised not only through environmental education but also through financial education. Planning purchases can help reduce unnecessary spending and take control of the household budget", explains Agnieszka Salach. "The involvement of companies is also important. They can promote pro-ecological behaviour among their employees. For example, encouraging public transport use for commuting, or taking part in initiatives like tree planting or collecting litter from green areas near the company".

One in ten Poles believes that, to counteract environmental degradation, companies should educate their employees on ecology and excessive consumerism.

How can companies support environmental protection?

It is worth noting that respondents mainly point out the negative impact of manufacturing plants on the natural environment. Nearly every second Pole (54 percent) believes that large companies should focus on recycling and reusing raw materials. According to 41 percent of respondents, companies should aim to reduce the use of plastic, paper and disposable packaging. In the opinion of 39 percent of Poles, manufacturing businesses should focus on producing durable and repairable goods.


Meanwhile, 37 percent of those surveyed indicated that companies should use renewable energy sources and reduce CO₂ emissions by modernising production processes. One in five respondents suggests reducing long-distance transport and purchasing goods from local suppliers (19 percent), as well as working remotely (19 percent).

And how do Poles fight the climate crisis in their homes?

• As many as 82 percent of respondents declare that they sort their rubbish,
• 77 percent save electricity,
• and 73 percent save water.
• As many as 60 percent of respondents carefully plan their grocery shopping and meals to avoid wasting food,
• every second Pole tries to repair appliances (58 percent),
• and also limits clothing purchases (49 percent).
• One in three respondents shops at second-hand stores (30 percent).
• A similar percentage (31 percent) chooses public transport or cycling instead of driving.
• Since 2024, every fifth Pole continues to declare that they reduce meat consumption (19 percent).

It is worth noting that only 3 percent of the population does not take any action to reduce their negative impact on the environment.

Is environmental protection cost-effective?

According to 71 percent of respondents, an eco-friendly lifestyle saves money. But does this actually happen in practice?


It turns out that over the year, the percentage of people who say they have given up or reduced spending on certain products or services in the last 12 months has dropped slightly (by 1 percentage point) to 65 percent. This means we are more likely than a year ago to buy things or services we could do without. Let us recall that in 2020, as many as 49 percent of Poles declared they were spending less time in shopping malls.

The study also asked Poles why they were limiting their consumption. While 41 percent of respondents say they are cutting back for environmental reasons, as many as 46 percent point to rising prices, and 55 percent cite a desire to save. Meanwhile, 16 percent of respondents said their reduced spending was due to lower incomes, and 15 percent responded that it was because of overdue financial obligations, forcing them to cut costs.

* Study conducted between 20 and 23 June 2025 on the Ariadna panel using the CAWI method on a nationwide sample of N=1138 people aged 18 or over.