2011 Nature Awareness Study Population Survey on Nature and Biological Diversity IMPRINT
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2011 Nature Awareness Study Population survey on nature and biological diversity IMPRINT Publisher: Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) Public relations department · 11055 Berlin Email: [email protected] · Internet: www.bmu.de Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) Konstantinstraße 110 · 53179 Bonn · Internet: www.bfn.de Study concept: ECOLOG-Institut für sozial-ökologische Forschung und Bildung, Hannover Contact, Email: [email protected] in cooperation with Sinus-Institut, Heidelberg (assistance with concept development and development of questionnaires, analysis of milieu-specific results) MARPLAN Media- und Sozialforschungsgesellschaft mbH, Offenbach (data collection) Text and editing: Dr. Christiane Schell, Andreas Mues (Federal Agency for Nature Conservation) Dr. Jonna Küchler-Krischun (Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety) With contributions in chapters 1 to 5 from Dr. Silke Kleinhückelkotten, Dr. H.-Peter Neitzke (ECOLOG-Institut) Dr. Silke Borgstedt, Tamina Christ (Sinus-Institut) Contact, Email: [email protected] Translation: Nizami Übersetzungen, Dortmund Layout: Stephan Dezelske, dezelske designstudio Internet: www.dezelske-design.de Figures: Photo cover page: Heinz Koloska Photo page 6: Christian Doppelgatz Photo page 7: Phototek Phototek As of: July 2012 2011 Nature Awareness Study Population survey on nature and biological diversity Environmental research plan of the Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety Project reference number 3511 82 1800 Project contracting entity: Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, Bonn, Germany Project management: ECOLOG-Institut für sozial-ökologische Forschung und Bildung Dr. Silke Kleinhückelkotten Dr. H.-Peter Neitzke Assisted by Dr. Silke Borgstedt, Tamina Christ Sinus-Institut für Markt- und Sozialforschung GmbH Hanover, July 2012 2011 Nature Awareness Study > Table of contents TABLE OF CONTENTS Forewords 6 Summary 8 1 INTRODUCTION 13 1.1 Aim and concept 13 1.2 Social differentiation by social milieus 14 1.3 Comments on the report 16 2 SOCIETY IN TRANSFORMATION … 18 2.1 The energy transition 18 2.2 Interest in ecologically and environmentally friendly consumer behaviour 21 2.3 Willingness to get involved in nature conservation 23 3 … CHANGING LANDSCAPES – ENDANGERMENT AND CONSERVATION OF NATURE 31 3.1 Perception of landscape changes 31 3.2 Perception of endangerment of nature 35 3.3 Personal reasons for the protection of nature 36 3.4 Responsibility for the protection of nature 42 3.5 Evaluation of measures for nature conservation 44 4 GOOD LIFE IN HARMONY WITH NATURE 46 4.1 Individual significance of nature 46 4.2 Recognition of natural services 53 4.3 Attitudes towards the utilization of nature 54 5 THE CHALLENGE: TO PRESERVE BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 57 5.1 “Biological diversity” as a societal indicator 57 5.2 Comprehension of the term “Biological diversity” 59 5.3 Attitudes towards biodiversity preservation 61 5.4 Willingness to act on behalf of biodiversity preservation 64 REFERENCES 69 LIST OF FIGURES 70 LIST OF TABLES 71 BASIC COUNT 72 2011 Nature Awareness Study > Forewords DEAR READERS, We live in turbulent times. And we encounter the This strong interest encourages hope that the step to- subject of change on many different levels, be it the wards a more sustainable lifestyle, supported by in- change in global political structures, economic re- formed (purchase) decisions and committed actions structuring, the demographic change or the climate of every single person in everyday life, will eventual- change. To be able to face these changes, adjustment ly be achieved. At this point we also want to continue processes are required. If these are designed wise- with our sustainability policy. ly and in due time, the change does not confront us with challenges which have to be mastered but also Finally, I would like to address the high willingness of offers chances for our human community, for a sus- becoming involved in nature conservation and pro- tainable economy, and for the sustainable interaction tection on a voluntary basis which the study revealed. with nature and landscapes. Markedly more than fifty percent of the Germans can imagine a voluntary commitment in this area or is al- The decision of the Federal Government in favour of ready active. I enjoy living in a country that shows so an energy transition is one such challenge. Therefore, much commitment. And I am looking forward to the it was obvious to include questions on this subject in transformations of time with confidence. the present 2011 Nature Awareness Study in Germa- ny. The study verifies the willingness of the people to Best regards basically accompany and support the current, diverse change processes in nature and landscapes taking place in the scope of the energy transition. The survey shows a marked interest of the population in subjects relevant to the development towards a so- Peter Altmaier ciety which is also committed to sustainability in oth- Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conser- er areas. Sustainable patterns of consumption are a vation and Nuclear Safety key element in this process; more than fifty percent of the respondents state to be interested, for exam- ple, in the origin and the growing conditions of fruits and vegetables, the fisheries conditions or the envi- ronmental compatibility of textiles. In contrast, only a few percent of the total population does not feel con- cerned about these subjects. 6 2011 Nature Awareness Study > Forewords DEAR READERS, Nature is valuable, beautiful and useful to the peo- themselves to the protection of nature, as was the ple – or so, at least, states the majority of the popula- case in the first survey in 2009. Environmentally tion in the current 2011 Nature Awareness Study in friendly behaviour should not only be promoted but Germany. strongly demanded. The answers show that nature is a true affair of the But also the socially weaker individuals whose nature people’s hearts. Especially arguments that empha- awareness is not that strong have to be convinced of sise the personal Good Life and aspects of justice the benefits of nature conservation by realistic offers meet with the strongest personal agreement among of, for example, leisure and adventure activities in a wide range of reasons for the protection of nature. return. Easy access, for example to park facilities in Therefore, the protection of nature means preserving residential areas is especially important for children a part of our happiness in life and a good life, and who are otherwise not able to have a corresponding securing the same for future generations, beyond all experience outside of their urban surroundings. ecological and economic “turf wars”. First of all, this brochure is intended for the interest- The further development of a successful national ed professional public of nature conservation play- nature conservation policy is based on solid grounds, ers but also contains exciting information worth since nature conservation is considered an essential reading for people who do not belong to this circle, political task and a human obligation by a majority because nature conservation is a task of our socie- of the German population. The answers on the vol- ty as a whole. The moral principles connected with it untary commitment in nature conservation show need to be made aware and be adjusted constantly in that numerous citizens are ready to make a personal dialogue with all social groups. I hope that all read- and active contribution to nature conservation. Large ers find lots of inspiration for a common approach to parts of the population also support the more con- nature protection. sistent use of regulations for the protection of nature, the reviewing of subsidies with regard to their envi- Best regards ronmental compatibility as well as the extension of communication and education measures. In this regard, the most important aspect is the tar- get group-specific communication to the population. In this study on nature awareness, socially better-off individuals state that they have a higher awareness of Prof. Dr. Beate Jessel nature and an increased willingness to commit President of the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation 7 2011 Nature Awareness Study > Summary Summary: supported by a majority of the people polled (agree- ment between 85 % and 94 %). This study confirms Central results and conclusions that the possible consequences for nature and land- scapes caused by the development of renewable en- drawn from the 2011 Nature ergies, such as the building of more offshore (87 % Awareness Study agree) and onshore/land-based (79 %) wind parks, ex- panded areas of photovoltaic plants outside of resi- The second national survey on nature awareness in dential areas (77 %) or the intensified cultivation of Germany was carried out between November 2011 energy crops (rape-seed: 67 %, maize: 63 %) are accept- and January 2012. It is based on a representative sam- ed on a general level, too. A high percentage of re- ple of 2,031 persons of the German-speaking resident spondents remain rather critical of the building of population from the age of 18 years taking into con- overhead power lines (54 %) and the increased eco- sideration all socio-demographic segments and inte- nomic use of forests (60 %). grating people of all regions in Germany. The central Almost fifty percent of the citizens interviewed have results