Michael Tomaino
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Michael Tomaino Research Outline Social Science MP3 – Part 1
Introduction:
It is obvious that the world has seen a much more uniform and progressive push for environmentally friendly practices. Dubbed “green initiatives”, these movements have become of necessity among Public Relations and common practice for the majority of individuals either at home, school, or work. Sustainability efforts are of almost guaranteed existence at high schools, at colleges, at universities, at business parks, in towns, in hotels, in public bathrooms, and even in private homes. In addition to multiple places, there are multiple ways people are encouraged to “reduce their carbon footprint” and “support sustainability.” In bathrooms, administrations advocate air dryers to save paper and either employ timed faucets or encourage turning off the faucet to save water. At Duke University, a two-way flush handle is used that saves water when disposing of liquid waste. Consumers are encouraged in commercials and by the world around them to purchase cars like the Toyota Prius and Nissan Leaf to reduce pollution. Globally, legislation has pushed for lower overall CO2 production in industry.
With all these surges for sustainability, one might wonder if participants are truly interested in the movements. One could argue that consumers purchase Nissan Leafs in a selfish effort to save money on gas or that people only throw paper and plastic in recycling bins if they can reach it from their desk. This raises the question of whether or not individual knowledge regarding these green initiatives would affect attempts to participate and conserve. Of the 2200 pounds of recyclable trash generated per person per year, only 900 are recycled [1]. How many individuals actually know what reducing a carbon footprint means? How many people understand the process of recycling or what harm wasted water can cause? Do people realize that each ton of paper recycled can save 380 gallons of oil 7,000 gallons of water, and 4100 kilowatt-hours of energy [1]? These questions aim to understand the psychology of participating in sustainability efforts. Through surveys and research regarding the topic, a better understanding of why humans do (or do not) advocate and participate in sustainability efforts can be reached.
Some of the more pressing issues, specifically ocean acidification and global warming, have been widely publicized. An Inconvenient Truth and A Sea Change both increased awareness of these major issues, but do people know how each green initiative specifically contributes to these phenomena? This research could establish a new method of increasing activism and participation through knowledge rather than guilt.
Nobody can deny that lowering emissions and recycling is a beneficial practice, but there is likely a disparity between individual knowledge on the subject. In addition to the aforementioned statistics, some may or may not know that the amount of wood and paper disposed of each year is enough to heat 1,000,000,000 homes for a year [1], car emissions kill 30,00 Americans each year [2], and that SUVs put out approximately 50% more pollutants than an average car [2]. It is important to not only spread this knowledge, but also understand how this raised awareness will affect progress. Rationale:
Many people recycle without thinking. They choose better fuel economy or public transportation instantly. They turn of the faucet or lights when not needed. It stands to reason that more people may be inclined to participate in the green initiative if they were educated on how each “green” act specifically contributed to a cleaner, safer future. This research will serve two functions. On a straightforward basis, multiple individuals will be educated on the specifics of conserving power, reducing fossil fuel combustion, and recycling plastics and metals. Upon analysis, though, the studies should reveal important information regarding why individuals choose or decline to participate and encourage thinks like recycling and reducing emissions.
Hypotheses:
If individuals are better educated on the specific benefits of the many popular sustainability efforts, then they will be more inclined to make a conscious effort to participate and advocated their principles.
Methodology:
Surveys will be created and taken by our peers. We will collects knowledge on how much they already know about the various green initiatives, and ask why they participate and how often. Then, after reporting some facts about the details behind each initiative, we will ask if they are more eager or willing to recycle, turn off the water, turn off the lights, or drive a Prius.
Anticipated Significance and Application:
Understanding why and to what extent different individuals contribute to sustainability is an integral step in increasing overall participation. This project will help develop a strategy for increasing awareness and participation the multiple sustainability efforts. The results can and should be applied to ocean acidification and global warming (products of fossil fuel combustion), recycling (including the conservation of carbon-based paper, oil-based plastics, and aluminum), energy conservation (also a product of fossil fuel combustion), and water preservation.
References:
[1] “Recycling Stats”. Green Waste. 7 November 2011. Web.