National Study of Hispanics on Environmental IssuesJune 2011

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MethodologySample size 1,000 Hispanics nationally

Over-samples in Florida, Colorado, New Mexico, and Nevada

Dates of interviews March 20-30, 2008

Margin of error +/- 3 percentage points

Languages of interviews English, Spanish

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Major Findings

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Major Findings•When it comes to the environment, most Hispanics

think air and water pollution is the most important problem for them and their family.

•Most Hispanics are not aware of any toxic sites close to their home or workplace.

•Almost all Hispanics interviewed believe that outdoor activities are important to them and their families.

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Major Findings•The most popular outdoor activities among Hispanics

are going to the beach and exploring national parks.•Almost one-third of Hispanics say they prefer to go

fishing in lakes, and most of them prefer to go with a family member instead of friends or co-workers. Hispanics also have a tendency to eat what they catch.

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When it comes to the environment, which are the two most important problems to you and your family?(Allow for two choices)

Don't know/ No answer

Something else

Toxic lead and mercury poisoning

Toxic waste sites

The destruction of our wilderness and forests

Energy and global warming

Polluted air and water

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

2%

1%

12%

14%

17%

43%

51%

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Are you aware of any toxic sites close to your home or place of work, such as a refinery, a chemical plant, an incinerator, an agricultural field, a major highway, or a factory?

34%

66%

YesNo

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How important are outdoor activities – like fishing, hunting, camping or visiting national parks – to you and your family?

Very important Somewhat important Not important Don't know/ No answer

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70% 61%

27%

11%

1%

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Which are the two most popular outdoor activities of your family?(Allow for two choices)

Don't know/ No answer

Hunting

Something else

Hiking

Camping

Fishing

Picnics

Exploring national parks

Going to the beach

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%

1%

4%

6%

10%

17%

20%

27%

31%

36%

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How often do you go fishing?

Very often Once in a while

Very seldom Never Don't know/ No answer

0%5%

10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%50%

10%

21% 19%

49%

1%

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Where do you fish?(Asked only of respondents who fish “very often” or “once in a while”)

Lake Ocean River Somewhere else

Don't know/ No answer

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%39%

32%

24%

5%1%

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Who do you go fishing with?(Asked only of respondents who fish “very often” or “once in a while”)

No answer

Aunt/ Uncle

Cousin

Co-workers

Brother/ Sister

Father/ Mother

Other person

Other relative

Friends

Son/ Daughter

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%

3%1%

2%2%

8%9%9%

14%22%

30%

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Do you eat the fish that you catch?(Asked only of respondents who fish “very often” or “once in a while”)

76%

23%

1%

YesNoDon't know/ No answer

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Why This is Significant

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Why This is Significant• The EPA’s proposed strong new air quality standards for life-

threatening hazardous air pollution from power plants, including mercury, is progress, however, there is still not much signage in waterways advising fishermen of these new standards. The survey demonstrates the need for signs in English and Spanish to warn Hispanics of this potential hazard, since one-third of them fish on a regular basis, and the vast majority of those eat what they catch. Even though the survey was taken in 2008, the findings remain accurate because they measured habits which rarely change over such a short period of time.

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Demographics

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Age

18 to 34 years old 35 to 49 years old 50 to 64 years old 65 years old or over

0%5%

10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%50%

25%30% 28%

17%

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Gender

47%

53% MaleFemale

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Language of Interview

37%

63%

SpanishEnglish

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Region

West South Northeast Midwest0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

37% 36%

19%

8%

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Annual Household Income

Less than $25,000

$25,000 to $50,000

$50,000 to $100,000

$100,000 or more

No answer0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

37% 36%

19%

8%

19%