The Future Leaders Survey 2006-2007, a major report published on 24 January, provides a fascinating insight into the hopes, fears and expectations of 54,240 of the UK's brightest young people - respondents to a questionnaire sent to all university and college applicants aged 17-21 for the academic year 2006-2007. 

Asked to consider what the world will be like in 25 years, a narrow majority expect quality of life in the UK to have improved but 91% think climate change will be hitting hard  two thirds believe global oil reserves will have run out. Most are optimistic that human civilisation will survive into the next century, but 76% believe lifestyles need to change radically across the board or in many areas for this to be achieved.

Full Press Release

In 25 years the oil will run out and tigers will be extinct in the wild, according to a uniquely wide-ranging survey of young people's expectations of the future by the sustainable-development charity Forum for the Future and the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Those surveyed believe lifestyles will need to change radically if human civilisation is to survive into the next century.

The Future Leaders Survey 2006-2007, a major report published on 24 January, provides a fascinating insight into the hopes, fears and expectations of 54,240 of the UK's brightest young people - respondents to a questionnaire sent to all university and college applicants aged 17-21 for the academic year 2006-2007. The findings suggest a widespread sense that today's business and political leaders are failing us on climate change but provide a powerful mandate from young people to take radical action.

Asked to consider what the world will be like in 25 years, a narrow majority expect quality of life in the UK to have improved but 91% think climate change will be hitting hard and 80% think inequality between rich and poor countries will grow. Two thirds believe global oil reserves will have run out, 74% expect to be talking to their computers instead of using a keyboard and 70% think tigers will be extinct in the wild. Most are optimistic that human civilisation will survive into the next century, but 76% believe lifestyles need to change radically across the board or in many areas for this to be achieved.

Quotes

"The Future Leaders Survey is a wake-up call for today's leaders in government and business," says Peter Madden, Chief Executive of Forum for the Future.

"These young people are likely to be powering the economy and running the country in 25 years. They are very concerned about climate change and think that big changes are needed to ensure they inherit a sustainable world." 

"The attitudes of the young people we have surveyed towards pressing matters of the day will be highly influential in the years to come," says Anthony McClaran, Chief Executive of UCAS.

"The future of our country, even our planet, is in their hands. Our findings show that many value less tangible benefits - community, empathy and engagement with what is important - more highly than simply a well paid career."

Other key survey findings

Respondents to the survey think of themselves as more affected by crime, less healthy, more worried about the future and more materialistic than their parents' generation. Yet they still look more for their own future happiness to non-material things such as having an interesting job (regarded as 'very important' by 79%) or spending time with family and friends (59%) than to material aims like a well-paid job (33%) or owning a car (26%) or having the latest gadgets (4%).

The report highlights interesting differences between generations and between men and women. Compared to their parents at the same age, 65% of this generation of university applicants see themselves as more materialistic and only 6% think they are less so. Only 9% think they are less affected by crime, with 57% believing they are worse affected. Only 16% believe their generation is healthier, with 36% believing they are less healthy. On the positive side 55% believe they are more concerned about the environment than their parents were - pointing to a growth in awareness and commitment that is essential if the challenges of climate change are to be faced.

Women respondents to the survey are less optimistic about the future than their male counterparts, feel more strongly that change is needed and are more prepared to contribute to that change. Whereas 55% of men think it very likely that human civilisation will survive into the 22nd century, only 39% of women feel the same way. Women are more likely to rate the importance of spending time with friends (64% v 53% of men) and having a job that contributes to society (25% v 18%). They are also more likely to have walked or cycled or bought local food for environmental reasons.

Walking or cycling instead of travelling by car (62%) was the form of environmental action suggested in the survey questionnaire that had already been taken by the most respondents. A further 15% anticipated doing so within ten years. Of the other actions included in the survey that respondents had taken for environmental reasons:

• 40% had bought locally produced food instead of imports
• 34% had avoided large chain stores and favoured locally owned shops
• 22% had taken part in a demonstration or protest march and 17% had written to their MPs
• 17% had taken a holiday in the UK instead of overseas 
• 26% had joined a Third World development charity and 14% an environmental charity or pressure group

Only 4% had consciously decided not to take an air flight for environmental reasons, with only a further 10% anticipating doing this in the next decade. While three quarters said they expected green taxes on air travel in the future, this is one area where there is a wide discrepancy between environmental awareness and individual action.

For more information or to arrange an interview contact Imogen Martineau (Forum for the Future) on 020 7324 3631 or 07944 401111 or Eleanor Stevens (UCAS) on 01242 545707 or 07768 740461.