ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS IN THE DIGITAL AGE: INSIGHTS FROM ONLINE SEARCH TRENDS FOR THE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Abstract

In the digital age, online search trends provide a unique window into public awareness and preferences about environmental issues. Google analyses search data related to climate change, pollution, biodiversity, and sustainability from 2004 to 2023, globally and in the United States, China, India, and the United Kingdom. The findings reveal that global interest in environmental issues has increased, with notable regional variations. Search interest in climate change, particularly in developing countries such as India and China, has increased even as it has polarised in the US. Pollution searches have emerged during times of crisis, revealing gaps in knowledge about health impacts. Sustainability searches led by the U.S. and U.K. have grown steadily, reflecting a desire for sustainable solutions through an imperfect understanding of systems-level thinking. By leveraging digital insights, stakeholders can build environmental literacy, shape debates, and drive progress towards a sustainable future.