an evaluation of environmentally responsible behavior in the lake baikal region of russia client:...
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An Evaluation of Environmentally An Evaluation of Environmentally Responsible Behavior in the Lake Baikal Responsible Behavior in the Lake Baikal
Region of RussiaRegion of RussiaClient: NGO Baikal Environmental Wave
Project Members:Nicole Rom and Jennifer Smith
Primary Advisor: Dr. Raymond De Young, School of Natural Resources &
Environment
Secondary Advisor: Dr. Barbara Anderson, Department of Sociology
Russia’s Environmental HistoryRussia’s Environmental History
• Soviet government left a legacy of severe ecological destruction – Policy of conquest, utilization– Huge industrial complexes– Concentrated areas of severe
pollution
• Since the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, period of political and economic transition– Low implementation of policies– Economic crisis, corruption
Russia’s Environmental MovementRussia’s Environmental Movement• Soviet Scientists fought to protect zapovednik (nature
reserve) system in 1960’s and 70’s
• Chernobyl acted as catalyst
• During glasnost period, thousands of new environmental organizations formed, but were actually just protesting the Soviet system
• After 1991, numbers and effectiveness of organizations dropped
• Movement generally focuses on science, pollution issues—rarely considers human aspects
Lake BaikalLake Baikal• Established as United
Nations World Heritage site in 1996
• Outstanding example of a freshwater ecosystem (UNESCO, 2003)
• Contains nearly 20% of the Earth’s unfrozen freshwater
Threats to BaikalThreats to Baikal• Industrial pollution
– Chemical production– Paper and cellulose
• Deforestation• Tourism
– Litter– New development
• Irkutsk: industrial, political, cultural and economic center of activity in region
ClientClient• Baikal Environmental
Wave is a leading and effective NGO in the Baikal region
• Focus is on raising environmental awareness by disseminating information to the public
ChallengeChallenge• Very little research in Russia
– how to promote environmentally responsible behavior
– methods of environmental education (EE)
• EE programs exist in Russia– emphasis is to “cherish nature”– not effective in motivating individuals to take
action
• Unknown whether people are knowledgeable about actions they can take to alleviate environmental problems
Motivation for ResearchMotivation for Research1. In what ways are citizens willing to take action to
promote environmentally responsible behaviors (ERB)?
2. What are the most effective ways of promoting adoption of these behaviors?
3. What specific aspects of Russian culture, the transitional economy, and post-Soviet politics affect the above questions?
Research QuestionsResearch Questions• How do citizens of the Baikal region perceive,
relate to, and understand environmental problems?
• What are the population’s environmental values and attitudes towards activism?
• Which actions or behaviors can be undertaken by individuals and are most effective and important for improving environmental problems in the Baikal region?
Goal 1Goal 1Identify primary environmental issues in Russia and in
the Baikal region
What are the post-Soviet and Baikal region environmental problems
What has been done towards solving these problems
What are current public opinions about these issues
What are appropriate methodologies for assessing public attitudes
Goal 2Goal 2Assess causal relationships between citizens’
demographic factors
values towards activism
perceptions of environmental problems
willingness to act in an environmentally responsible manner in their communities
Goal 3Goal 3Share conclusions of research
to enhance educational efforts of:
Baikal Environmental Wave
Russian groups working on environmental issues in the Baikal region
MethodsMethods
• Literature Review (Goal 1)
• Data Collection and Analysis (Goal 2)
• Dissemination of Findings (Goal 3)
Data Collection and AnalysisData Collection and Analysis• Location
– Irkutsk, Russia– Other communities in
the southern Baikal region
• Recruitment– Local markets– Parks– University campuses
• Sample population: – citizens ages 20-30
• Multiple measures: – 150-200 surveys– minimum of 30
interviews
Survey MethodologySurvey Methodology• Three page questionnaire using a 5-point Likert scale
• Questions address:– current behaviors– environmental values– willingness to act– locus of control– barriers– motivations– connection to nature– connection to Lake Baikal– knowledge of environmental issues
Interview MethodologyInterview Methodology• Face-to-face cognitive tasks where
respondents will use a card sort method (3CM) to answer a proposed question (Kearney & Kaplan, 1997)
• Useful for discovering how individuals perceive complex concepts like actions they could take to help the environment
• Minimum of 30 respondents from sample population
Anticipated Products & BenefitsAnticipated Products & Benefits
• A translated summary of research findings given to:
– Baikal Environmental Wave for inclusion in their journal
– Other Russian NGOs throughout the Baikal region
• Organize & implement summer day camp for 20 middle school students to:
– Strengthen EE in Irkutsk
– Empower university students (camp leaders)
TimelineTimeline• Phase I: April 2003, Ann Arbor
– Literature review for methodology – Logistical details (travel, lodging, bank accounts, purchase supplies)– Survey instrument– 3 CM interview protocol
• Phase II: May- July 2003, Irkutsk Russia– Logistical details– Collect data– Work on camp details
• Phase III: Sept 2003- April 2004, Ann Arbor– Analyze data– Logistical details (new responsibilities, budget info, follow up grants)– Literature review– Drafts and Final revisions– Publications/ Presentation
BudgetBudget• Basic expenses for 2 people: $6640
– Airfare, Travel Insurance, Ground Transport, Visa fees, Meals & lodging for 3 months
• Research related materials: $2130– Gifts for survey respondents, digital voice
recorder & software, printing and photocopying costs, film and development, internet connection, phone cards, zip disks, miscellaneous supplies