Robert Emmet Jones

New Trends in Measuring Environmental Attitudes: Measuring Endorsement of the New Ecological Paradigm: A Revised NEP Scale

Dunlap and Van Lieres New Environmental Paradigm (NEP) Scale, published in 1978, has become a widely used measure of proenvironmental orientation. This article develops a revised NEP Scale designed to improve upon the original one in several respects: (1) It taps a wider range of facets of an ecological worldview, (2) It offers a balanced set of pro- and anti-NEP items, and (3) It avoids outmoded terminology. The new scale, termed the New Ecological Paradigm Scale, consists of 15 items. Results of a 1990 Washington State survey suggest that the items can be treated as an internally consistent summated ratingscale and also indicate a modest growth in pro-NEP responses among Washington residents over the 14 years since the original study.

Black concern for the environment: Myth versus reality

This article first discusses major misconceptions and limitations of research conducted in the United States on race and concern for the environment. An overview of four hypotheses pertaining to concern for the environment among blacks is then provided. Support for each hypothesis is judged by reviewing recent literature and by analyzing the National Opinion Research Centers (NORC) General Social Survey (GSS) trend data 1973–93. The overall evidence shows that concern for the environment is not just an issue for whites and that a “concern gap”; between whites and blacks probably does not exist. It also demonstrates that support among blacks for environmental protection did not decline more than it did for whites during hard economic periods. There is limited evidence to suggest that blacks place a slightly higher priority than do whites on improving the conditions of the social environment than on the state of the environment in general.

Examining Linkages between Race, Environmental Concern, Health, and Justice in a Highly Polluted Community of Color

Currently, there is a limited amount of research on Black attitudes toward the environment. Moreover, possible linkages between race, environmental attitudes, and perceptions about environmental health and justice have not been examined in the United States. This study contributes to this literature by assessing several of these linkages using data obtained from a survey of 247 residents living in or around a highly polluted community of color. It found that public perceptions about environmental health problems and environmental justice were significantly linked to race and public concern for local environmental problems. Blacks are more likely than Whites to believe they are being exposed to poorer environmental conditions, suffer more related health problems, and think that local public agencies and officials have not dealt with environmental problems in their neighborhood in a just, equitable, and effective manner.

The Value of Trees Factors Influencing Homeowner Support for Protecting Local Urban Trees

The article discusses the value and importance of urban trees and factors that significantly influence public support for protecting them. These factors were identified by examining mail survey data obtained from a representative sample of 800 homeowners living in a rapidly urbanizing area within Southern Appalachia. A series of multiple regression analysis tested an Integrated Model of Urban Tree Support that combines measures of attitudes, beliefs, values, and sociodemographic variables to predict homeowner support for local urban tree protection. The findings lend support to many features of the model and revealed that homeowners who have stronger protree attitudes, have greater environmental concerns, place more importance on trees when looking for a new place to live, attribute symbolic value and meaning to them are more supportive. Women and Democrats are also more supportive. Recommendations are offered for future research and policy.

CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT: DOES REPRESENTATIVENESS MATTER?

ABSTRACT The main focus of this research is on the changing role of citizen participation in natural resource management. Evidence suggests that citizens who participate in the management of natural resources are not representative of stakeholders who are impacted by the decisions being made. In an effort to assess the representativeness of citizen participation, we conducted telephone surveys of “residents” who live in the watershed of Tennessee Valley Authoritys (TVA) Norris Reservoir and “participants” in TVAs Norris Public Lands Plan. As hypothesized, we found participants to be older, disproportionately male, more educated, and more affluent, and as having higher levels of political efficacy and trust in government than residents. Exploratory analyses revealed many other significant differences between participants and residents. We conclude by suggesting that increased and representative citizen participation is necessary for the successful implementation of an ecosystem-based approach and to address problems associated with non-point source pollution. Funds for the collection of data were provided by the Waste Management Research and Education Institute (WMREI), a state sponsored Center of Excellence at the University of Tennessee. Appreciation is expressed to David Feldman, Sherry Cable, and Chip Hastings for their support of this research. The contents are the sole responsibility of the authors and opinions expressed do not reflect the position of the WMREI or the University of Tennessee.

Barriers and bridges to the adoption of biodegradable plastic mulches for US specialty crop production

Commercial farmers have been using polyethylene plastic mulch since the 1950s. Despite the affordability and effectiveness of polyethylene mulch, the disposal process is financially and environmentally costly. Biodegradable plastic mulches, an ecologically sustainable alternative to polyethylene mulch films, were introduced in the 1980s. Biodegradable plastic mulches can be tilled into the soil or composted at the end of the season, reducing the labor and environmental costs associated with plastic removal and disposal. However, research results are mixed as to the effectiveness, degradability and ease-of-use of biodegradable plastic mulches. In 2008–2012, researchers, funded by a USDA Specialty Crop Research Initiative grant, conducted surveys and focus groups in three different agricultural regions of the USA to better understand the barriers and bridges to the adoption of biodegradable plastic mulches for specialty crop production systems. Data on the experiences and views of specialty crop growers, agricultural extension agents, agricultural input suppliers, mulch manufacturers and other stakeholders showed that the major adoption barriers were insufficient knowledge, high cost and unpredictable breakdown. The major bridges to adoption were reduced waste, environmental benefits and interest in further learning. These findings are discussed with reference to the classic innovation diffusion model, specifically work on the innovation–decision process and the attributes of innovations. The study results can be used to guide the activities of those involved in the design, development and promotion of biodegradable plastic mulches for US specialty crop production systems.

BLACKS JUST DON'T CARE: UNMASKING POPULAR STEREOTYPES ABOUT CONCERN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AMONG AFRICAN-AMERICANS

ABSTRACT The paper examines how blacks and other less powerful groups have been unfairly portrayed and represented within the public policy debate on environmental issues. The common assumption that blacks are rather shallow in their concern for the environment is one example of this bias. Its validity is assessed under the conditions of the economic contingency hypothesis, which specifies that this apparent lack of concern by blacks should be most evident during periods of economic decline. Previous studies and analyses conducted on NORC General Social Survey trend data do not lend support to this claim. Suggestions are provided to better identify, articulate, and incorporate the views of people of color in environmental policy and its administration.

Modeling Environmental Concern for Urban Tree Protection Using Biophysical and Social Psychological Indicators

Urban forest management is being increasingly recognized as a viable policy vehicle for improving community health, sustainable development, and well-being for city dwellers. To improve our understanding of public concern for the local urban forest, a theoretical framework employing concepts traditionally explored in social–psychological and environmental concern studies was tested using data from a public opinion survey of 800 homeowners living in a major urban area in Southern Appalachia, USA. Publicly available geographic information system (GIS) data were analyzed to measure tree canopy density around survey respondents’ properties. Structural equation modeling was used to test the validity of the hypothesized relationships among the survey-derived constructs and the spatial data as predictors of public support for urban forest protection policy. The results suggest that homeowners living around urban trees place greater importance on various attributes of trees, and that tree knowledge and experience are indirectly and positively related to support for urban forest protection.

Ecological Identity: The Development and Assessment of a Measurement Scale:

Social scientists have increasingly turned their attention to the conceptualization and measurement of different facets of the self to better understand public concern for the environment. Despite significant progress in this area, theoretical and methodological issues remain that could impede further progress. This article addresses several of these issues by providing a conceptual framework that integrates key features from two major theories used to understand self-environment relations. The framework is then utilized within a multimethod research design that emphasized theoretical and methodological correspondence and precision to develop and assess a measure of ecological identity. The results provide solid evidence of the reliability and validity of the Ecological Identity Scale and the utility of the conceptual framework designed to support it. Furthermore, the findings demonstrate that ecological identity influences a wide range of environmental behaviors both directly and indirectly via worldviews and social values. Recommendations for future research are offered.