Level Of Environmental Consciousness Research Articles

Solid waste management awareness and practices in coastal communities

Effective solid waste management (SWM) is paramount for environmental sustainability and public health, particularly in coastal communities. This cross-sectional descriptive study determines SWM awareness and practices among 399 households in selected coastal barangays in the City of Mati, Davao Oriental, Philippines. Employing a structured four-point Likert-type survey through KoboCollect applications, this study evaluates SWM awareness and practices while examining the impact of socio-demographic factors on these aspects. The results reveal moderate SWM awareness (X̄=2.55) and practices (X̄=2.66) in these coastal communities, indicating a baseline level of environmental consciousness and waste management efforts. However, there was lack of familiarity with legal and regulatory frameworks (X̄=1.97), including the Republic Act 9003 and local ordinances related to SWM. Notable gaps are also identified in SWM practices, mainly in waste segregation (X̄ = 2.55) and avoidance to waste-burning (X̄=2.56). Socio-demographic factors, such as age, educational attainment, household size, and family income, significantly influence SWM awareness and practices. These findings underscore the need for targeted educational campaigns and community engagement strategies to enhance awareness of SWM regulations. Addressing these gaps is necessary for developing effective interventions to promote sustainable waste management practices in these coastal areas, thus protecting marine ecosystems and supporting the well-being of local communities.

Exploring the drivers of residents’ identification and green citizenship behavior in green cities: a multicountry study

PurposeThe fundamental mission of every green city is to harmonize urban living with environmental preservation. However, a critical challenge arises when the residents of such cities do not share the same level of environmental consciousness, potentially eroding the integrity of the green city’s brand identity. Hence, this study aims to explore the factors influencing residents’ identification with green city branding and assesses how this identification subsequently affects their green citizenship behaviors.Design/methodology/approachA survey of 1,217 residents from 15 green cities across six countries was conducted and analyzed using SPSS 28.0 for descriptive statistics and PLS-SEM for measurement and structural model analysis.FindingsThe results indicate that green city-self connection, green city distinctiveness and environmental benefits significantly impact GCRI, which, in turn, significantly influences green city protection, loyalty and advocacy behaviors. However, green city social and economic benefits did not affect resident identification.Practical implicationsThe results of this study provide valuable managerial insights for city brand managers, green city developers and governmental representatives. The study underscores the importance of considering residents as crucial internal stakeholders in the creation of a green city identity that effectively promotes sustainable urban living and an eco-friendly culture.Originality/valueThis study provides theoretical insights into the relationship between green identification and residents’ willingness and commitment to act as ambassadors and promote their city’s green values.

Social Responsibility and Airbnb Hosts: Voices from Northern Cyprus

This study examined relevant linkages between motivational factors to be the owner of P2P accommodation (Airbnb host) and being active in pro-environmental and pro-social actions in life practices using a qualitative research method. Our study contributes to the literature associating the motivations of being an Airbnb host and being active in sustainability issues under the framework of moral values. Furthermore, the study analyzed whether an individual awareness of sustainability practices by Airbnb hosts influences their motivations for social responsibility actions in their hosting practices. The key themes followed were ‘Community Engagement and Pro-Social Practices’, ‘Environmental Consciousness and Pro-environmental Practices’, ‘Family Values on Moral Identity and Legal Compliance’, and ‘Restoration and Cultural Heritage’. Findings revealed that hosts stress the importance of the level of environmental consciousness that is gained from education in fostering social responsibility. Respondents believed that teaching cultural heritage, environmental awareness, and ethical values, especially to children, is crucial to building a responsible society. Additionally, participants expressed a sense of social responsibility through the restoration of idle and old houses, contributing to the preservation of cultural heritage and historical structures. As a context of the moral identity issue of respondent hosts, the influence of family values on the development of moral identity was highlighted. The findings of the study showed that hosts work in a team to implement necessary projects for the benefit of society. The study ends with a discussion of the findings and relevant suggestions for the industry.

Conscious perception of environmental threats: the role of environmental psychology in the formation of environmental consciousness

The article examines the role of environmental psychology in the formation of the environmental consciousness and conscious perception of environmental threats by humans. It examines how psychological factors influence people's perception and understanding of environmental issues, including barriers that prevent effective interaction with the environmental information. This article will help reveal the importance of environmental psychology in the formation of environmental consciousness and understanding of environmental threats. It will contribute to the understanding of how psychological factors affect the perception and interaction with the environmental information, and will provide practical recommendations for increasing environmental consciousness in the society. The purpose of the article is to emphasize the importance of targeted scientific and practical efforts in using the knowledge of environmental psychology to improve the conscious perception of environmental threats and stimulate sustainable environmental behavior. The scientific novelty of the article consists in the combination of a theoretical overview of the main concepts of environmental psychology with an experimental research to study the level of conscious perception of environmental threats among respondents. In addition, the article focuses on understanding the interconnection between the concepts of environmental psychology and their role in the formation of environmental consciousness. The obtained results of the study reveal the level of understanding of the respondents of the basic concepts of environmental psychology, which can be of practical importance for the development of programs and interventions aimed at increasing the level of environmental consciousness and changing behavior. Such a comprehensive approach to the study and understanding of environmental psychology contributes to the expansion of knowledge in the field of environmental psychology and the identification of ways to improve human interaction with the environment. The article examines the role of environmental psychology in the formation of environmental consciousness and conscious perception of environmental threats. Using the testing method, the level of understanding of the main concepts of environmental psychology among the participants was determined. The results showed a low level of understanding of some concepts, which indicates the need for increased consciousness and education about environmental issues. This article contributes to the field of environmental psychology by combining a theoretical overview with an experimental study that is important for the further development of programs and interventions aimed at increasing the level of conscious perception of environmental threats and the formation of environmental consciousness.

Appraisal of solid waste generation in secondary schools towards sensitisation on environmental quality and education

PurposeThis study evaluates the quantity and composition of solid waste produce in secondary schools and assesses level of environmental consciousness and management activities. This is aimed for the present and future planning of high schools' environment as well as integrating the system into urban waste management.Design/methodology/approachThis research used primary and secondary data to realize its purpose. Primary data was obtained through measurement of actual waste generation and questionnaire administration. Secondary data was the official information obtained on the schools selected. The primary data collected was analysed with descriptive statistical method such as percentage, mean cross measures of central tendency, frequency distribution and cross tabulation.FindingsThe study established that a total of 375.6 kg of solid waste is generated in the selected schools and daily per capita waste generation is 0.56 kg. Paper material is the waste component with the highest quantity and 88.5% of waste produced is recyclable. Thus, solid waste generated in secondary schools if carefully managed with suitable management options has potential for promoting circular economy and sustainable development. The paper recommends environmental education for stakeholders in secondary schools and waste segregation culture should be enforced in every secondary school.Originality/valueThe paper builds on the reasons for poor environmental quality in secondary schools in developing countries and revealed unscientific means by which resources are wasted and the environment is mismanaged through low understanding of solid waste.

Gender differences in pro-environmental nutrition behavior among football fans

Concerns about consequences of everyday nutrition have led to a gender gap in pro-environmental nutrition (PEN), implying that women decide more often to limit their meat consumption than men. For sport and football managers who increasingly deal with environmental sustainability while aiming to increase female audiences, the question arises of whether the gender gap in PEN also applies to football fans. Based on socialization theory, the safety-concerns hypothesis, ecofeminism, and a conceptual model on prosocial behavior, this study analyzed gender differences in environmental consciousness (EC) and everyday PEN and examined how gender moderates the impact of these two factors on the interest in vegan food in football stadiums. An online survey (n = 1605) of fans of a German Football League club was conducted to assess fans’ interest in the offer of a vegan sausage or burger. Empirical findings confirm the gender gap in EC. Women are significantly more likely to adopt PEN everyday if they have a high EC. Furthermore, women are significantly more likely to eat often/always a vegetarian diet everyday than men. Finally, women have a significantly higher interest in the offer of vegan food in the football stadium than men, irrespective of the EC level. Although we confirm the gender gap in EC and everyday PEN, sport managers learn from our findings that the growing female audience at football games is generally more interested in the availability of vegan food at the stadium than men are, irrespective of their EC or PEN in everyday life.

Understanding national variations in reusable packaging: Commercial drivers, regulatory factors, and provisioning systems

Given the global environmental impacts associated with single-use plastics, alternatives are being considered, including the reuse of product packaging, which aim to retain the functionality of products while reducing waste and broader environmental impacts. Drawing on the Multi-Level Perspective approach, we analyse three national examples of reuse in Denmark, Germany, and Mexico. While the success of reuse initiatives is often attributed to heightened levels of environmental consciousness, we argue that understanding national variations in levels of reuse requires greater attention to the commercial drivers, regulatory factors, and provisioning systems in which they arise. This argument is developed through case studies of the beverage sector in the three national contexts – specifically beer, mineral water, and soft drinks – as this sector is often regarded as a successful illustration of business-to-consumer reuse systems. To conclude, we consider what the implications might be for nations such as the UK where reuse levels remain comparatively low.

Effects of Individualism, Collectivism, Materialism, and Willingness to Pay for Environmental Protection on Environmental Consciousness and Pro-Environmental Consumption Behavior in Korea

Environmental consciousness is linked to pro-environmental consumption behavior; however, the consequences of variations in the level of environmental consciousness have not been fully investigated. Therefore, we evaluated differences in individualism, collectivism, materialism, willingness to pay (WTP) for environmental protection, and pro-environmental consumption between groups with varying levels of environmental consciousness. After evaluating the factors that differentiate these groups, we identified the determinants of pro-environmental consumption for each group. For the study, an online survey was conducted, including 472 adults aged 20–69 years. Groups with low and high levels of environmental consciousness differed significantly with respect to all factors except individualism. The group with a high environmental consciousness exhibited higher collectivism, WTP for environmental protection, and pro-environmental consumption behavior, and lower materialism than the group with a low environmental consciousness. For the group with low environmental consciousness, collectivism was the main factor affecting pro-environmental consumption behavior (i.e., purchase, use, and disposal). In the group with high environmental consciousness, WTP for environmental protection and collectivism were the main determinants of pro-environmental consumption behavior. These results provide a basis for a systematic approach to improve pro-environmental consumption behavior based on environmental consciousness.

Embracing green banking as a mean of expressing green behavior in a developing economy: exploring the mediating role of green culture.

According to a plethora of research and publications, the volume and amount of pollution are largely attributable to human-made emissions. Even during the recently ended Covid-19 outbreak, there was a notable decrease in global pollution, particularly in Pakistan's heavily populated cities. Due to the current situation, it is strategically important to safeguard the environment, and there are many criteria and predictors that should be used to encourage green behavior. This study examines green banking as a means of demonstrating ecologically responsible conduct in a developing nation. A survey questionnaire was used to collect information from 280 respondents via human contact and an internet platform. Software called SmartPLS3.0 was used to analyze the structural relationships between the study's variables. The results show that customers' adoption of green banking practices is statistically significantly influenced by their level of environmental consciousness and attitude. Similarly, green culture exhibits a substantial mediating influence between the independent variables and green behavior as well as a positive significant effect on green behavior. However, it is established that the consumer's apparent behavioral control is negligible. Particularly, the cognitive connection between behavior and culture is weak and insufficient to forecast behavior. For policymakers, especially those working in the field of green education, this study has many real-world applications.

A Study of Environmental Consciousness among the Students of Arts and Science Streams of the Higher Secondary Schools

Main aim of our study is assessing environmental consciousness among Higher Secondary School students in Rampur district, Uttar Pradesh. This investigation made use of a descriptive survey approach. The samples were picked at random. The sample included two hundred students from both private and government schools in the Rampur area. Mean, Standard deviation, & 't' test had been utilised for statistical analysis, once data was gathered, organized & tabulated. All students in this research had an overall good attitude toward environmental consciousness, although those in the Science stream had a greater level of environmental consciousness than those in the Arts stream. There is a large gender gap in environmental consciousness; girls are more concerned than their boys counterparts. It demonstrated the significance of gender differences in the formation of ecological consciousness. The students have a deeper familiarity with environmental concerns, difficulties and potential solutions for their preservation and protection. Average results on a survey measuring environmental consciousness were drastically different for urban and rural students. The environmental consciousness of secondary school students in urban areas was shown to be greater. On the other hand, it was shown that private school students had a higher average score than government school students did on an indicator of environmental consciousness.

The Yale model of green message sharing and environmental consciousness on social media platforms

PurposeIn this paper, Yale model was adopted to understand how the characteristics of a green message (goal framing, argument volume and argument consistency), its source (source credibility) and its receivers (environmental consciousness) influence the communication process regarding the receivers' perceptions and attitudes (information value, persuasiveness and communication effectiveness) and their intention to spread the green message.Design/methodology/approachEight scenarios of factorial design were developed to test the effects of a message on receivers' perceptions and attitudes. 1,157 valid questionnaires were used to conduct AMOS-SEM and ANOVA analyses.FindingsThe analytical results showed significant differences between the persuasive effects of Scenarios 1 and 8. A high level of environmental consciousness significantly affected the relationships between the message characteristics, source credibility and information value, leading to a higher intention to share the green messages.Research limitations/implicationsThe Yale model was applied to online persuasion to examine the receivers' perceptions of and attitudes toward a green message and their intention to share it on social networking sites (SNSs). Being environmentally conscious can strengthen the perception that the receivers of an online green message have of the source credibility and information value. The Yale model proved to represent the online green message-sharing context and explain how to persuade online users more effectively.Practical implicationsThis study suggests that green message providers should present content emphasizing the losses associated with inaction, thus increasing the receivers' acceptance of the message's persuasiveness. Additionally, with the assistance of supportive measures, such as national education programs, government policies and actions showing corporate social responsibility, the environmental awareness of individuals can encourage them to share green message posts on SNSs and engage in green practices.Social implicationsA significant effect of the message characteristics (goal framing × argument volume × argument consistency) was observed on SNS users' perceived source credibility and information value. Therefore, key opinion leaders, governments, and organizations who want to promote green ideas and attract public attention are encouraged to provide messages emphasizing the costs of inaction and contain arguments with a sufficient number of responses strongly supporting the original message. This could arouse the concern for green issues among online communities.Originality/valueA Yale model research framework was developed to investigate the effect of message characteristics on the intention to share green messages online. Receivers' environmental consciousness played a vital role in this message-sharing process.

How anticipated pride and guilt influence green consumption in the Middle East: The moderating role of environmental consciousness

This research empirically tests the combined effect of anticipated pride, anticipated guilt, and environmental consciousness in parallel to the Theory of Planned Behavior's main components on green purchase intention. For the first time, it also explores the interaction of environmental consciousness, anticipated pride, anticipated guilt, and attitude, respectively, on green purchase intention. Analysis of 304 responses collected from consumers in the United Arab Emirates revealed that environmental consciousness, attitude towards green products, anticipated pride, and anticipated guilt positively influence the intention to purchase green products, but not perceived behavioral control and subjective norms. Interestingly, anticipated pride increases green purchase intention under low level of environmental consciousness, while anticipated guilt decreases purchase intention. In contrast, anticipated guilt positively influences green purchase intention under high environmental consciousness, while anticipated pride does not. This study extends current knowledge related to green purchase behavior and provides a nuanced understanding of the influence of anticipated emotions. It also provides practical implications for marketers in the Middle East to formulate effective strategies to stimulate green products consumption.

Does Contextual Factor Influence Travelers’ Towel Reuse Behavior? Insights from Circular Economy

This study examines the role of environmental knowledge, perceived consumer effectiveness, and willingness to sacrifice on travelers’ towel reuse behavior. Additionally, it tests whether environmental consciousness moderates the effect of environmental knowledge, perceived consumer effectiveness, willingness to sacrifice, and attitude towards towel reuse on actual towel reuse behavior. The proposed research model was tested using Amazon Mechanical Turk data. Using partial least square structural equation modelling, we analyzed the hypotheses. The results demonstrate that environmental knowledge, perceived consumer effectiveness, and willingness to sacrifice have significant influences on travelers’ towel reuse behavior. Additionally, findings about environmental consciousness indicate that high levels of environmental consciousness can help bridge the attitude-behavior gap. To bridge the gap between travelers’ attitude and behavior, managers should develop communication strategies to raise awareness and a sense of responsibility among them.

Merging the Social Influence Theory and the Goal-Framing Theory to Understand Consumers' Green Purchasing Behavior: Does the Level of Sensitivity to Climate Change Really Matter?

This study explored the formation of consumers’ green purchasing behavior (GPB) and investigated the moderating effect of sensitivity to climate change (SCC) to address this current knowledge gap. An integrated model merging the Social Influence Theory and the Goal-framing Theory was developed with the Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) paradigm. An empirical study was conducted, surveying 583 respondents and analyzing the questionnaire results using structural equation modeling. The results show that media, family, and peer influence (PEI) can effectively activate the consumers’ goal frames. Hedonic and normative goals had significant positive influences on GPB, while gain goals had no significant effect. SCC was found to significantly moderate social influence on GPB through the consumers’ goal frames. This research provided strong empirical support on understanding the relationship between social influence and GPB through three goal frames. In addition, the potential differences of the GPB formation process in two subgroups (high SCC and low SCC) are also investigated. The results of this study can help green practitioners develop more effective marketing strategies and incentives targeted to consumers with varying levels of environmental consciousness or sensitivity.

Exploring the level of sustainability awareness among consumers within the fast-fashion clothing industry: a dual business and consumer perspective

PurposeAdding to competitive dynamics and sustainability literature, this paper aims to examine the implementation of environmental protection and sustainability initiatives within the European fast-fashion clothing industry from the perspectives of Generation X and Y consumers. The study primarily investigates whether consumers’ level of environmental consciousness impacts their purchase decisions and consumption behaviour and the consequent strategic competitiveness effects on businesses.Design/methodology/approachThe methodological approach relied on multiple data collection methods. In the first stage of the study, the researchers analysed the content of the official websites of two of Europe’s leading fashion firms. In the second stage, a quantitative research approach was aimed at revealing the perceptions, attitudes and purchase behaviour of Generation X and Y consumers towards the two fashion houses and their brands.FindingsAlthough European fashion manufacturers invest in sustainability and engage in environmental protection, their marketing efforts need to be more effectively managed and targeted towards their target consumer markets. The level of engagement and sensitivity of each generational group towards sustainability issues varies. Each group’s environmental consciousness, motivation and response is shaped by distinct characteristics, which, in turn, create implications for the effectiveness of sustainability efforts towards differentiation and competitiveness. Overall, consumers engage in environmental initiatives but ignore the corporate initiatives pursued by the two fashion firms and did not view them as sustainable brands.Originality/valueThe study explores the effectiveness of sustainability and environmental protection orientation as business competitive strategies in the light of environmental turbulence and social changes impacting the fast-fashion clothing industry and its relationships with its consumer markets.

Global projections of future wilderness decline under multiple IPCC Special Report on Emissions Scenarios

Globally, wilderness areas are being lost at a rate that outpaces their protection, which has adverse effects on the global environment. Rapid action is needed to understand the trends and consequences of global wilderness change. We present projections of global wilderness decline in 2100 under the influence of land-use change within the framework of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (IPCC SRES). The projections revealed that the decline of wilderness was deeply affected by different global socioeconomic development pathways. The total wilderness loss (4.74%) in scenario A2 (with slow technological innovation and traditional demand for biofuels) was much higher than in the other scenarios. Around 76.51% of the loss of global wilderness globally occurs occurred in South America, which will occur in Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests. The smallest loss (0.08%) occurred in scenario B1 (with a high level of environmental consciousness). We found that wilderness losses in 2100 will be concentrated in some important biomes, which have relatively high-density carbon storage. These findings stress the importance of targeted wilderness protection to ensure the long-term integrity of ecosystems and the balance of the carbon cycle.

Greenness as a Differentiating Strategy

In a vertical differentiation model, we study a market where consumers, depending on their level of environmental consciousness, value the greenness of the product they consume and are distributed according to a Kumaraswamy distribution. Three scenarios are studied: only one firm takes some green measures and firms compete upon prices; only one firm takes some green measures, and this firm acts as the leader of the price competition; and finally, both firms choose their level of greenness and compete upon their location and price. The results suggest that as consumers become more environmentally conscious, the marginal consumer and the greener firm’s location move to the right. In contrast, the less green firm’s response is non-monotonic. In fact, when the two firms choose their location along with their prices, the latter firm chooses to produce a less green product in response to more environmentally conscious consumers. In the extreme case where all consumers are fully environmentally conscious, the latter firm produces a brown product and sells it at a price equal to its marginal cost. In this case, the greener firm’s price and location choices make the consumers indifferent between the two products. These results could explain why despite all the improvements in the consumers’ environmental consciousness, brown (in its general term) products are still widely produced and consumed, even by environmentally conscious consumers.

Green Marketing Strategies on Online Platforms: A Mixed Approach of Experiment Design and Topic Modeling

This study aimed to examine the effects of two types of green information conveyed via online platforms and the moderating role of environmental consciousness on customers’ green perceptions, positive attitudes, and behavioral intentions. This study performed a 2 (firm-initiated green information: absent, present) × 2 (customer-generated green information: absent, present) experiment. These mixed methods were further implemented by using both open-ended surveys and structured measurements. Open-ended survey answers were analyzed with structural topic modeling to discover customers’ green perceptions. The results highlighted the importance of customer-generated green information to support firm-initiated green marketing, consequently leading to enhanced customer satisfaction and behavioral intentions. Although displaying green information generated by both the company and its customers is effective in enhancing green perceptions, customers may react differently depending on their levels of environmental consciousness.

Willingness-to-Pay for Environmental Measures in Non-Profit Sport Clubs

To reduce global warming and climate change, the German government plans to implement a carbon tax, which will also affect sport organizations. This study investigates how much sport club members are willing to pay for environmental measures and how sport-specific, club-specific, environmental, and socio-demographic factors are associated with their willingness-to-pay. In 2019 and 2020, active adult sport club members in five team/racket sports were sampled using an online survey in Germany (n = 3036). The contingent valuation method was applied to estimate sport club members’ willingness-to-pay for environmental measures. Regression analyses were employed to investigate a set of factors that are associated with club members’ decision to pay at all and the amount of willingness-to-pay. The results show that 64.3% of respondents reported a positive willingness-to-pay. The average willingness-to-pay for environmental measures amounts to EUR 14.53 per year and to EUR 22.59 for those reporting a positive willingness-to-pay. The results of t-tests show that club members stating a positive WTP differ significantly from members who are not willing to pay anything in terms of sport-specific, club-specific, environmental, and socio-demographic factors. The logistic regression results indicate that the likelihood of reporting a positive willingness-to-pay increases with increasing environmental consciousness, educational level, weekly practice hours, identification and satisfaction with the club, and subjective well-being, while age has a U-shaped effect. The results of a Tobit model show that the amount of willingness-to-pay is positively determined by environmental consciousness, educational level, and satisfaction with the club. The findings suggest that the majority of club members are willing to pay higher membership fees for the implementation of environmental measures in sport clubs. Increasing members’ level of environmental consciousness through educational initiatives represents a way for sport policy and sport managers to help increase financial support for environmental measures among club members.

Promoting Public Awareness of Carbon Capture and Storage Technologies in the Russian Federation: A System of Educational Activities

The latest technologies for climate change mitigation are carbon capture and storage (CCS). Some countries are developing CCS projects, and they are currently at different stages of deployment. Despite the signing of international agreements on climate change mitigation, Russia’s efforts to develop and implement CCS technologies are quite limited. Therefore, it is vital that people are aware of the importance of carbon dioxide capture, utilization, and storage. The purpose of this article is to produce guidelines and toolkits to form a system of measures aimed at raising awareness of the Russian society on carbon dioxide capture and storage technologies. The paper discusses the key findings of several recent studies on the topic, e.g., a study focusing on the level of environmental consciousness among St. Petersburg students; a content analysis of the Russian school textbooks; a study of environmental groups in Russian social media; and an experimental study on creating eco-comics and posters as educational tools for promoting environmental awareness. A multi-level system of educational activities is proposed, including events for preschoolers, schoolchildren, students, and adults.