Help CSIRO research Australian lifestyle choices

CSIRO is looking for people to participate in a national online survey of Australian lifestyles and consumption habits. Do you prefer Chinese takeaway or home-cooked meals? How many hours do you spend watching TV? And do you walk to work or drive?

Social scientists aim to uncover what Australians think is important in life, by finding out what they consume and why, and what impact these decisions have on quality of life and the environment.

By exploring consumer preferences in a range of areas including: food, transport, housing, energy, time and water use, and values, the survey aims to enable better policy research for a sustainable future.

'Once we can identify different types of households we will be able to explore ways that policy might be able to support these lifestyle choices while ensuring sustainable resource use,' CSIRO project leader, Dr Heinz Schandl said.

'Decisions people make about where to live, how many children to raise and what items they buy, strongly influence the impact a society has on the physical environment.

'We are attempting to uncover what drives Australian consumer behaviour and how we can use that to help build a low-carbon economy.'

CSIRO is seeking respondents from as many different backgrounds and perspectives as possible.

By taking the time to complete this survey, participants will be helping CSIRO researchers gain a better understanding of lifestyle and consumption choices and establish how to move towards a sustainable future without sacrificing individual choices.

The survey results will be published online.

To take part visit: www.csiro.au/lifestylesurvey before 30 June 2009.

Source: CSIRO