An Evaluation of Environmentally Responsible Behavior in the Lake Baikal Region of Russia Client: NGO Baikal Environmental Wave Project Members: Nicole Rom and Jennifer Smith Primary Advisor: Dr. Raymond De Young, School of Natural Resources & Environment Secondary Advisor: Dr. Barbara Anderson, Department of Sociology

Location

Russia’s Environmental History Soviet government left a legacy of severe ecological destruction –Policy of conquest, utilization –Huge industrial complexes –Concentrated areas of severe pollution Since the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, period of political and economic transition –Low implementation of policies –Economic crisis, corruption

Russia’s Environmental Movement Soviet Scientists fought to protect zapovednik (nature reserve) system in 1960’s and 70’s Chernobyl acted as catalyst During glasnost period, thousands of new environmental organizations formed, but were actually just protesting the Soviet system After 1991, numbers and effectiveness of organizations dropped Movement generally focuses on science, pollution issues—rarely considers human aspects

Lake Baikal Established as United Nations World Heritage site in 1996 Outstanding example of a freshwater ecosystem (UNESCO, 2003) Contains nearly 20% of the Earth’s unfrozen freshwater

Threats to Baikal Industrial pollution –Chemical production –Paper and cellulose Deforestation Tourism –Litter –New development Irkutsk: industrial, political, cultural and economic center of activity in region

Client Baikal Environmental Wave is a leading and effective NGO in the Baikal region Focus is on raising environmental awareness by disseminating information to the public

Challenge Very little research in Russia –how to promote environmentally responsible behavior –methods of environmental education (EE) EE programs exist in Russia –emphasis is to “cherish nature” –not effective in motivating individuals to take action Unknown whether people are knowledgeable about actions they can take to alleviate environmental problems

Motivation for Research 1. In what ways are citizens willing to take action to promote environmentally responsible behaviors (ERB)? 2. What are the most effective ways of promoting adoption of these behaviors? 3. What specific aspects of Russian culture, the transitional economy, and post-Soviet politics affect the above questions?

Research Questions How do citizens of the Baikal region perceive, relate to, and understand environmental problems? What are the population’s environmental values and attitudes towards activism? Which actions or behaviors can be undertaken by individuals and are most effective and important for improving environmental problems in the Baikal region?

Goal 1 Identify primary environmental issues in Russia and in the Baikal region  What are the post-Soviet and Baikal region environmental problems  What has been done towards solving these problems  What are current public opinions about these issues  What are appropriate methodologies for assessing public attitudes

Goal 2 Assess causal relationships between citizens’  demographic factors  values towards activism  perceptions of environmental problems  willingness to act in an environmentally responsible manner in their communities

Goal 3 Share conclusions of research to enhance educational efforts of:  Baikal Environmental Wave  Russian groups working on environmental issues in the Baikal region

Methods Literature Review (Goal 1) Data Collection and Analysis (Goal 2) Dissemination of Findings (Goal 3)

Data Collection and Analysis Location –Irkutsk, Russia –Other communities in the southern Baikal region Recruitment –Local markets –Parks –University campuses Sample population: –citizens ages Multiple measures: – surveys – minimum of 30 interviews

Survey Methodology Three page questionnaire using a 5-point Likert scale Questions address: –current behaviors –environmental values –willingness to act –locus of control –barriers –motivations –connection to nature –connection to Lake Baikal –knowledge of environmental issues

Interview Methodology Face-to-face cognitive tasks where respondents will use a card sort method (3CM) to answer a proposed question (Kearney & Kaplan, 1997) Useful for discovering how individuals perceive complex concepts like actions they could take to help the environment Minimum of 30 respondents from sample population

Anticipated Products & Benefits A translated summary of research findings given to: –Baikal Environmental Wave for inclusion in their journal –Other Russian NGOs throughout the Baikal region Organize & implement summer day camp for 20 middle school students to: –Strengthen EE in Irkutsk –Empower university students (camp leaders)

Timeline Phase I: April 2003, Ann Arbor –Literature review for methodology –Logistical details (travel, lodging, bank accounts, purchase supplies) – Survey instrument –3 CM interview protocol Phase II: May- July 2003, Irkutsk Russia –Logistical details –Collect data –Work on camp details Phase III: Sept April 2004, Ann Arbor –Analyze data –Logistical details (new responsibilities, budget info, follow up grants) –Literature review –Drafts and Final revisions –Publications/ Presentation

Budget Basic expenses for 2 people: $6640 –Airfare, Travel Insurance, Ground Transport, Visa fees, Meals & lodging for 3 months Research related materials: $2130 –Gifts for survey respondents, digital voice recorder & software, printing and photocopying costs, film and development, internet connection, phone cards, zip disks, miscellaneous supplies

Conclusion Thank you! Any thoughts or comments?