Dataset Information

An examination of how six reasons for valuing nature are endorsed and associated with pro-environmental behavior across 12 countries.

ABSTRACT: Balanced samples from 12 countries (N = 12,000) were surveyed about their reasons for valuing nature and pro-environmental behaviors. Results showed that people were least likely to endorse moral-based reasons for valuing nature, as compared to five other reasons (wellbeing benefits, nature's intrinsic value, health benefits, economic value, identity-based reasons). However, moral- and identity-based reasons (relative to the other four reasons) for valuing nature were the strongest predictors of pro-environmental behavior across three different methods (correlations, linear mixed models, and relative importance analysis) and two pro-environmental behavior categories (consumer behavior and activism). In other words, the reasons for valuing nature most associated with pro-environmental behavior also garnered the weakest support, presenting a potential dilemma for those hoping to leverage values to promote pro-environmental behavior. We also identify a possible mechanism (awareness of one's environmental impact) to explain why moral- and identity-based reasons for valuing nature best predict behavior. Finally, we examine between-country variability in the endorsement of the six reasons and the reasons' associations with pro-environmental behaviors, and country-level factors that may explain between-country variability in these outcomes. We discuss these results in the context of broader literature that has focused on an intrinsic vs. instrumental valuation of nature dichotomy.

SUBMITTER: Gainsburg I

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10209929 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

An examination of how six reasons for valuing nature are endorsed and associated with pro-environmental behavior across 12 countries.

Gainsburg Izzy I Roy Sukanya S Cunningham Julia Lee JL

Scientific reports 20230525 1

Balanced samples from 12 countries (N = 12,000) were surveyed about their reasons for valuing nature and pro-environmental behaviors. Results showed that people were least likely to endorse moral-based reasons for valuing nature, as compared to five other reasons (wellbeing benefits, nature's intrinsic value, health benefits, economic value, identity-based reasons). However, moral- and identity-based reasons (relative to the other four reasons) for valuing nature were the strongest predictors of ...[more]

PMID: 37230999

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundEnvironmental health effects vary considerably with regard to their severity, type of disease, and duration. Integrated measures of population health, such as environmental burden of disease (EBD), are useful for setting priorities in environmental health policies and research. This review is a summary of the full Environmental Burden of Disease in European countries (EBoDE) project report.ObjectivesThe EBoDE project was set up to provide assessments for nine environmental risk factors relevant in selected European countries (Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands).MethodsDisability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were estimated for benzene, dioxins, secondhand smoke, formaldehyde, lead, traffic noise, ozone, particulate matter (PM2.5), and radon, using primarily World Health Organization data on burden of disease, (inter)national exposure data, and epidemiological or toxicological risk estimates. Results are presented here without discounting or age-weighting.ResultsAbout 3-7% of the annual burden of disease in the participating countries is associated with the included environmental risk factors. Airborne particulate matter (diameter ≤ 2.5 μm; PM2.5) is the leading risk factor associated with 6,000-10,000 DALYs/year and 1 million people. Secondhand smoke, traffic noise (including road, rail, and air traffic noise), and radon had overlapping estimate ranges (600-1,200 DALYs/million people). Some of the EBD estimates, especially for dioxins and formaldehyde, contain substantial uncertainties that could be only partly quantified. However, overall ranking of the estimates seems relatively robust.ConclusionsWith current methods and data, environmental burden of disease estimates support meaningful policy evaluation and resource allocation, including identification of susceptible groups and targets for efficient exposure reduction. International exposure monitoring standards would enhance data quality and improve comparability.

Project description:IntroductionIn recent years, China has vigorously promoted sustainable social development, aiming to enhance residents' environmental protection awareness and encourage their active participation in environmental protection through various means. To achieve this goal, cultivating environmental feelings (EF) among residents has become a key initiative. Childhood nature experiences (CNE) may have a profound impact on pro-environmental behaviors (PEB) in adulthood. However, the specific mechanisms underlying this influence remain unclear.MethodsThis study, viewed through the lens of the biophilia hypothesis, uses EF and environmental contacts (EC) as mediating variables, and environmental risk perception (ERP) as a moderating variable. Statistical analyses, including multiple linear regression, mediation, and moderation analyses, were conducted on data from 1,499 survey responses to explore the mechanisms through which CNE influence PEB in adulthood.Results(1) The study shows that CNE do not have a direct effect on PEB in adulthood, but instead exert an indirect influence through EF and EC, with the mediating effect of EF being stronger than that of EC. (2) ERP significantly moderates the relationship between EC and two types of PEB, as well as the link between EF and private sphere pro-environmental behaviors (PRIEB). However, it does not significantly moderate the relationship between EF and public sphere pro-environmental behaviors (PUBEB). (3) ERP significantly moderates most of the mediating effects.ConclusionThe findings suggest that relying solely on childhood EC does not directly shape adult PEB. Compared to EC, EF play a larger mediating role between CNE and adult PEB. ERP strengthens the mediating effects of both EC and EF. The study emphasizes that both unstructured nature contact and planned, educational outdoor activities during childhood are equally important. Society should provide abundant opportunities for nature experiences, cultivate environmental feelings, and establish a close connection with nature to lay the foundation for developing future participants and advocates for environmental protection.

Dataset Information

An examination of how six reasons for valuing nature are endorsed and associated with pro-environmental behavior across 12 countries.

Publications

An examination of how six reasons for valuing nature are endorsed and associated with pro-environmental behavior across 12 countries.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets