Factors influencing private and public environmental protection behaviors: results from a survey of residents in Shaanxi, China

J Environ Manage. 2011 Mar;92(3):429-36. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2010.08.002. Epub 2010 Nov 26.

Abstract

Currently one of the largest and most rapidly developing countries, China also has some of the world's most severe environmental problems. China will most likely need to use all of the potential major strategies currently available to solve the country's huge environmental challenges, including promoting individual conservation behavior through educational campaigns and encouraging public environmental advocacy. This paper summarized the findings of a survey of 347 residents of Shaanxi province on environmental attitudes and behaviors. The survey found generally high levels of environmental knowledge and high recognition of the seriousness of environmental issues, moderate levels of individual actions supporting environmental resource conservation and low levels of public environmental behaviors, particularly for organized public advocacy. Further analysis indicated that the perceived importance of environmental protection is the most important factor influencing individual environmental resource conservation, but not public advocacy behaviors. Implications for environmental campaigns are discussed.

Publication types

  • Historical Article
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Child
  • China
  • Conservation of Natural Resources*
  • Data Collection
  • Female
  • History, 15th Century
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Private Sector*
  • Public Sector*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult