Study on the public attitudes and behavior towards the protection of the global environment.

Abstract

ABSTRACT; Global environmental problems are attracting greater attention of the public. In spite of their consciousness about the environment, however, they still do not abandon their high consumption lifestyles. They waste energy and other resources and cause impact upon the environment. Saving of energy in our daily life is especially important in order to reduce the emission of CO2 which might cause the global warming and climatic changes. The problem here is the discrepancy between attitudes and actual behavior. It is needed to clarify what is the real substrate that promote or impede our environment friendly behaviors. From this viewpoint, a questionnaire study was conducted in Fukuoka and Kurume, with a view to analyzing the people's attitudes about environmental protection. Necessary conditions for encouraging people to conduct pro-environmental behaviors is discussed based on the data obtained. It is shown that a majority of the citizens are very conscious about the environmental problems, but relevant incentives to enhance their pro-environmental behaviors are not provided. Today's price of energy, for example, does not have enough incentive effects. Improved public education and information is essential to provide motivations for environmentally favorable attitudes and behaviors of the public.

Greenhouse gases reduction potential through consumer’s behavioral changes in terms of food-related product selection

“…Sustainable lifestyles play an important role in the mitigation of global warming [1]. UNEP [2] reports that the consumption of goods by households is responsible for the majority of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; the most important consumption activities relate to purchasing food, mobility/transport, and housing.…”