Global Climate Global Climate Change Meets Change Meets

EcophobiaEcophobia

Environmental Learning and ActivismEnvironmental Learning and ActivismSwiss National Science Foundation Study, Swiss National Science Foundation Study,

Matthias Finger Matthias Finger

The study compared adults whose knowledge The study compared adults whose knowledge about the environment was based mostly on about the environment was based mostly on media presentations of ecological media presentations of ecological catastrophes vs. adults whose knowledge catastrophes vs. adults whose knowledge about the environment came from extensive about the environment came from extensive nature experiences and activismnature experiences and activism, ,

Finger found that, Finger found that, “environmental behavior is less “environmental behavior is less the result of learning and knowledge and more the result of learning and knowledge and more the result of particular environmental the result of particular environmental experiences,”experiences,” and that, and that, “some environmental “some environmental learning does not necessarily translate into more learning does not necessarily translate into more responsible behavior towards the environment responsible behavior towards the environment and can even be counterproductive.”and can even be counterproductive.”

First, “Nature experiences seem to be a necessary condition for any type of environmentally responsible behavior.”

Second, “Experiences of environmental activism emerge as another crucial condition for any environmental behavior. ”

Third, “Fear and anxiety of environmental problems has the potential to turn environmental education into a counter-productive activity.”  

Fourth, “When low fear is involved, environmental knowledge and information do make a difference in terms of environmental behavior.”

A review of the A review of the biographies of biographies of

environmentalistsenvironmentalistsWhen Louise Chawla of When Louise Chawla of Kentucky State University Kentucky State University reviewed these studies, she reviewed these studies, she found a striking pattern. Most found a striking pattern. Most environmentalists attributed environmentalists attributed their commitment to a their commitment to a combination of two sources, combination of two sources, ""many hours spent outdoors many hours spent outdoors in a keenly remembered wild in a keenly remembered wild or semi-wild place in or semi-wild place in childhood or adolescence, childhood or adolescence, and an adult who taught and an adult who taught respect for nature." respect for nature."

““Hands on experience at the critical time, Hands on experience at the critical time, not systematic knowledge is what counts not systematic knowledge is what counts in the making of a naturalist. Better to be in the making of a naturalist. Better to be an untutored savage for a while and not to an untutored savage for a while and not to know the names or anatomical detail. know the names or anatomical detail. Better to spend long stretches of time just Better to spend long stretches of time just searching and dreaming. searching and dreaming.

The Relationship between Nature Play The Relationship between Nature Play and Adult Environmental Behaviorand Adult Environmental Behavior

*Wild nature play correlates *Wild nature play correlates with environmental with environmental attitudes and behaviors.attitudes and behaviors.

*Domesticated nature play *Domesticated nature play correlates with correlates with environmental attitudes environmental attitudes and only slightly with and only slightly with behaviors.behaviors.

*Environmental education *Environmental education correlates with neither. correlates with neither.

Wells and Leckies, “Nature and the Wells and Leckies, “Nature and the Life Course “ Life Course “

Iowa Farmers Study Iowa Farmers Study Jim PeaseJim Pease Childhood Experience & Childhood Experience &

Adult Environmental Behaviors Adult Environmental Behaviors

*hunting and fishing with *hunting and fishing with parents as childrenparents as children

*berry picking and *berry picking and mushroom collecting with mushroom collecting with parents as childrenparents as children

*horse-back riding*horse-back riding

*access to play in natural *access to play in natural areaarea

*reading books about nature*reading books about nature

Ladder of Environmental Responsibilitygrades 4-6