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From deforestation and air pollution to nitrogen and ozone depletion, there is growing concern about climate change and a range of environmental issues. Policy discussions about nature and limiting environmental impact have evolved into dinner table discussions and are now finding their way into dating app conversations.
The younger generations are known to have environmental activism as a big part of their lives. In various places in the country, they take to the streets to draw attention to the emergency situation with ‘disruptive’ actions. Because according to them, we are in a climate and ecological crisis. But do we also see this reflected in the dating preferences of singles? Is ‘green dating’ becoming a trend? And do singles value ‘sustainable dating’? The answers to these questions may surprise you.
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Sustainable dating not important for singles
With World Cleanup Day – Saturday 17 September – approaching, dating app happn thought it would be a good idea to do some research into green dating initiatives. The app asked 475 users about their preferences and found that sustainability hardly plays a role when it comes to dating. Almost 80% of singles do not consider sustainability when it comes to dating. And only a third think it is important that their date values sustainability.
Data from various dating apps active worldwide shows that ‘environmental awareness’ is one of the most popular terms. Badges with environmentally related terms are used more and the number of mentions of climate change in profiles has increased significantly. Concern about the climate – and its change – is a global trend that we see everywhere, also on dating apps. But now it turns out that sustainability hardly influences the dating choices of Dutch singles.
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5 Sustainable Date Ideas
The reason why is unclear. Unfortunately, this has not been investigated. Although dating itself is separate from the environment, it can do no harm to think about protecting nature, the environment and the climate. To date sustainably, dating expert Ludivine Cherif-Cheikh of happn proposes these ideas:
1. Romantic beach walk and cleaning
One in three singles has volunteered to help clear a public space of trash. Why not do it together as a date? There’s even a name for it: trash dating .
2. Shopping for second-hand clothes
Nearly 3 in 4 female singles (74%) have bought second-hand clothes, compared to only 38% of male singles. Date idea: go to thrift stores together so the men will do it more often too.
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3. Cooking without food waste
A dinner at home is sustainable, especially if you order your groceries via an app like Too Good To Go, the app against food waste . You can buy leftover food for a small price via the app. Among female singles, almost half (45%) have already used it, among men this is less than a quarter (24%).
4. Choose vegan and local
Going out for dinner or lunch? Start planning green dates by going to a vegan hotspot or a place that uses organic, local produce.
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5. Active outdoor dates
Cycling together in the region, walking through the forest: these are green date ideas that have no impact on the environment. There is almost nothing more sustainable than enjoying nature.
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