BOSTON, June 18, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, COIN, a
values-based investing platform backed by John Hancock, launched the 2019 State of the
Conscious Consumer Study, revealing that only 23 percent of
Americans actually believe in their individual impact to create
positive change, despite a strong desire to see progress.
The survey of more than 1,000 adults set out to measure the
attitudes, perceptions and behaviors of American consumers toward
positive social and environmental change. Do consumers think they
can impact change? Are they using their time, voice or money to
take action? Do their daily behaviors indicate a likelihood of
aligning their vote, dollars and social posts with doing good?
The study found a majority of US adults agree that addressing
the following social and environmental issues is important to the
future:
- Public health: 84
percent
- Sustainable development: 79 percent
- Environmental issues or planet health: 78 percent
- Workplace quality: 77 percent
- Equal access to prosperity: 76 percent
- Gender equality: 74 percent
More than half believe that donating money (56 percent) or
investing in companies supporting the issues they care about (54
percent) are impactful actions to take to drive progress; yet one
in four believe they don't have enough money (25 percent), time (26
percent) or information (26 percent) to take action. And although
two-thirds (67 percent) know they are voting with their dollars,
they prioritize convenience and cost savings over impacting social
change with their money.
"We see great opportunity for educating, especially younger
consumers, about the role money can play in making change. Despite
popular belief, you don't need much money to make an impact," said
Megan Schleck, co-founder and CEO of
COIN. "That's why we're excited to offer COIN as a way for people
to take control over the impact they want to see in the world with
as little as $50. We believe in the
compounding power of individual action. We can't assume someone
else will create change for us."
Other key findings from the survey show:
Gen Z – Progressive Optimists: Gen Zers (ages 18-24)
take the generational lead when it comes to optimism about their
individual impact, as they are 155 percent more likely than Boomers
to believe their individual actions make an impact. Almost half of
Gen Z believes the U.S. has made at least some progress against
sustainable development (48 percent), equal access to prosperity
(44 percent) and environmental issues or planet health (44
percent). They are the least likely generation to view money as a
tool for driving positive change, as 60 percent don't know how to
impact social change with their money (tied with Millennials) and
59 percent have never considered how to impact social change using
money.
Boomers – Values Guided Realists: Boomers (ages 55+) are
the generation most likely to be interested in investing their
dollars in companies aligned with their values (42 percent more
likely than Gen Z). This counters the presumed trend that younger
generations are the ones clamoring for transparency in investing –
it seems investing for impact is a cross-generational want.
Parents – Leaders by Example: Parents are more
likely than the average population to think their individual
efforts are driving real change. They're also 18 percent more
likely to take action in support of social issues because they want
to be an example for those around them. They lead on believing
social sharing and commentary is driving change (20 percent more
likely than the general population) and 62 percent say they invest
in companies that support the issues they care
about.
For more information on how to take action by investing with
your values, visit investwithcoin.com.
Methodology
The 2019 "State of the Conscious Consumer"
Study was commissioned by COIN by John
Hancock and fielded by independent research firm Equation
Research in May 2019. The responses
were generated from a survey of 1,003 people ages 18+.
About COIN
COIN
is a conscious investing platform that invests your money in
companies making a difference, not the ones that don't. COIN is
backed by John Hancock, combining the company's 157 years of
expertise with COIN's passion for maximizing positive impact guided
by the United Nations Sustainable Development
Goals. COIN is a service provided by John Hancock
Personal Financial Services, LLC, an SEC registered investment
adviser.
About John Hancock and
Manulife
John Hancock is a division of
Manulife Financial Corporation, a leading international financial
services group that helps people make their decisions easier and
lives better. We operate primarily as John
Hancock in the United
States, and Manulife elsewhere. We provide financial advice,
insurance and wealth and asset management solutions for
individuals, groups and institutions. Assets under management and
administration by Manulife and its subsidiaries were CAD$1.1 trillion (US$849
billion) as of March 31, 2019.
Manulife Financial Corporation trades as MFC on the TSX, NYSE, and
PSE, and under 945 on the SEHK. Manulife can be found at
manulife.com. One of the largest life insurers in
the United States, John Hancock supports more than 10 million
Americans with a broad range of financial products, including life
insurance, annuities, investments, 401(k) plans, and college
savings plans. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at
johnhancock.com.
Accompanying image: COIN's 2019 State of the
Conscious Consumer Survey Infographic
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SOURCE John Hancock