At last, we have it on good authority: women are greener than men. A verdict reached by a Times poll only days after NPower, working with a Leicester University psychologist, announced that men are more likely to avoid day-to-day green tasks in favour of bigger gestures. The energy company’s online survey of 2,455 British adults gave points based on their responses to questions about which green activities they undertake. And when it comes to reusing carrier bags, turning off appliances and buying eco-friendly products, it’s up to the fairer sex.

This is as surprising as finding out that chaps like suppers of steak and beer while women prefer to peel mouldy vegetables off the back of the fridge — “Honestly, they’ll be lovely with lentils.” Women are still the ones making eco-aware choices because they make the lion’s share of household decisions. Research from the US suggests that more than 80 per cent of household purchases, whether of sofas or electricity supplies, are made by women. Ask the Women’s Institute why the environment has crept up its agenda and it will tell you that women are the planet’s natural custodians. We are supposed to be the nurturers, after all. Of course, when it comes to sizeable blasts of green action, testosterone takes over. A new hybrid Toyoto Prius? An eco-log cabin in the Outer Hebrides? The words: “Evening, darling, I’ve installed a wind-turbine on the roof.” This is male territory. The idea is to throw financial caution to the winds and beat the neighbours to the ultimate green accessory, especially if everyone can see it. While similar to straight-up gadget trumping, it’s what Earth mothers need to cheer them up after a long day of saving the world on a shoestring.

Sadly, it doesn’t always dovetail so nicely. Not yet converted to frugality as a moral code, my boyfriend is convinced that I make false economies. “What difference can it make if you use one teabag for two cups of tea?” he fumes, unwavering in his belief that my brews are inferior to his. The best thing about thriftiness is not only can you harp on about saving the pennies, you can also play the green card. I tell him to look beyond his cup of tea to future generations. “Think big,” I say. “You’re supposed to be good at that.”