College of Business Administration

1) Has the U.S. federal government done enough (via more stringent emissions standards, higher taxes on pollution-causing agents, more research on causes/effects of pollution, etc) to encourage citizens to re-think the sources of energy that they use? Do you think that that is part of the government’s responsibility to its citizens?

2) Are U.S. consumers only willing to take a serious look at energy issues when it has a direct impact on their pocketbooks? (For example, high gas prices in the 1970s led to more fuel-efficient cars and today’s high gas prices have led to a severe decline in SUV sales.) If so, is there a way to change that mentality?

3) Are the benefits to the economy of greater consumerism more than offset by the damage done to our environment (and the associated costs that are incurred)? For example, it is estimated that by 2020, we will emit 600 million extra tons of carbon dioxide per year simply because of standby power – that is, appliances which are plugged in, but not actually in use.

4) Do you think that people make the connection between greater consumerism and the effects that that has on the environment/weather patterns? If not, do you think that is because lack of concern or lack of information? Is it a stretch to say that electricity use (as a result of coal burning) leads to global warming, which leads to warmer oceans, which leads to increasingly intense hurricanes?

5) Do you think it is convenient and affordable to eat in a socially conscious, organic, healthy, and "fair" context? If you had a large family to feed do you think your opinion might change?

6) Mad Cow, Salmonella, E.coli, Avian Flu scare- over hyped news stories or real concerns? Cutting back your consumption of meat because of them?

7) How many of you think you have enough time in the day for yourselves…? To do something that you don't have to do for anyone else, just for your enjoyment?

8) How many of you feel you could be a citizen who is exemplifies a non-consumerism lifestyle (an eco-friendly consumer)?

9) How many of you, if fuel prices rose to double what they are right now, would be willing to use bicycles or public transportation (if the infrastructure was available)?