Measures to Cope with the Impact of Climate Change and Drought in the Island Region: A Study of the Water Literacy Awareness, Attitude, and Behavior of the Taiwanese Public

Abstract

This study assessed people’s water literacy awareness, attitudes, and behaviors to iden-tify strategies for coping with drought and water scarcity. The data from 653 questionnaires were analyzed by statistical validation and using IBM SPSS 22 and IBM AMOS 26.0. The views of students, housewives, swimming pool owners, schoolteachers, and experts were collected and finally examined by multivariate validation analysis. People have a high level of water literacy and developed sufficient water-saving habits (4.60). Although most people believe that tap water is of good quality, it is difficult to deliver and expensive, and cannot be consumed directly. Even though people are aware of the water shortage crisis, willing to carry water bottles instead of using plastic bottled water, choosing to buy environmentally friendly cleaning products (4.08), performing water conservation behaviors on the go, taking showers within 6–15 min, and taking the initiative to notify the relevant authorities to repair water facilities, the frequency of using bottled water is still high due to work and living habits, consumption ability, and mobility constraints (34.6), and they are less willing to buy products with the “water proficiency label” (4.08) and participate in stream-cleaning activities (3.57). The willingness to participate in water purification activities is low. The public also feels that the government is responsible for solving the current water shortage crisis (3.71). There are significant differences in the perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors of water literacy among people of different genders, ages, and regions, depending on their work and consumption abilities, quality of life, and convenience (p < 0.05). Increasing water responsibility can enhance environmental management actions, consumer economic actions, and civic actions, while enhancing water perceptions and crisis awareness can further strengthen civic behaviors.

Uncovering Gender Differences in Water Literacy among High Schoolers

“…On the other hand, Sammel (2014)'s water literacy programme for Australian primary school pupils improved students' understanding of water-related issues and shaped their attitudes toward water use and conservation. Depending on their age, education level, and prior exposure to water-related issues, students' knowledge, attitudes, and values about water literacy can differ (Yu et al, 2021). Students who have participated in water literacy education initiatives typically have a greater understanding of the value of water and how they may contribute to the preservation and sustainable management of water resources.…”

Quantifying the effects of anomalies of temperature, precipitation, and surface water storage on diarrhea risk in Taiwan

“…This might be related to the sanitation conditions in Taiwan. A study in Taiwan revealed that local inhabitants have good water management, water literacy awareness, and behavior, and as well as proper knowledge regarding to drinking water safety and hygiene [44].…”

Technical Report: Taiwan drought

“…At the household level, one strategy to promote sustainable consumption could be to encourage water responsibility among users through practices such as paying attention to time spent bathing, cleaning water towers regularly and increasing awareness about tap and bottled water consumption (Yu and others, 2021). To this end, the island's water authority has been implementing strategies to enforce water resource protection, encouraging water saving behaviours and the use of products with water-saving labels while increasing water education among users (Wang and others, 2019).…”