Environmental Attitude, Knowledge, and Energy Consumption Behavior (Case Study: Citizens of Isfahan)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Assistant Professor, Department of Social Science, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Considering the intensity of energy consumption and its environmental consequences, especially global warming and air pollution, this study investigates the energy consumption behavior among the citizens of Isfahan, one of the most polluted cities in Iran. While investigating the relationship between social/demographic variables and energy consumption behavior, this study's main emphasis is on investigating the effect of belief in the new ecological paradigm as an environmental attitude on the responsible behavior of people towards energy consumption. The research method is a survey. The statistical population is all the citizens of Isfahan city over 15 years old. Using Cochran's formula, a sample of 384 people was determined and selected by quota sampling. This study's results showed a relationship between people's education level and their economic status with energy consumption behavior. Also, environmental attitude and environmental knowledge have a relationship with energy consumption behavior. One of the most important results is that belief in the new ecological paradigm has an impact on people's behavior towards energy consumption, and belief in the limits of growth plays a significant role in this; People who acknowledge the limitations of land resources and environmental limitations for the growth of industrial society, consider environmental considerations more in the behavior of energy consumption. In this way, environmental education programs can strengthen these inhibiting beliefs in reducing energy consumption in different societies.

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