By Sherezade Rodriguez
A recent study by the UF/IFAS Center for Public Issues Education shows that most Floridians are willing to adapt their day-to-day behavior if it means protecting an endangered species.
More than 80 percent of the 499 Floridians surveyed agreed they are likely to drive slower in areas where endangered species might be present, and 68 percent of participants are likely to slow down their boats in areas where endangered species might be.
The perception that an individual action directly impacts or threatens endangered species and their habitats can carry a powerful emotional response that could lead to changed behaviors, according to PIE Center Director Tracy Irani.
“I think people are generally more likely to change their behavior if they can see that the direct result of their actions is a negative impact” she said. “Degrading a habitat, driving too fast, disposing hazardous materials and releasing pets into the wild are all things that you’re doing that could have a direct impact or things that you can directly connect to a threat to an endangered species.”
Seventy-nine percent of respondents indicated that they were likely or very likely to avoid damaging endangered species’ habitat, and 77 percent of respondents indicated that they were likely or very likely to avoid releasing pets into the wild.
Irani indicated that there might be a connection between willingness to avoid harmful activities in order to protect endangered species and the amount of effort required from the individual.
“The results showed that people are more likely to be willing to do things that require less effort,” she said. “The more effort, the more those numbers go down, and that’s human nature. Things that require more effort are things that you have to be really motivated to do.”
While a high percentage of Floridians in the survey saw the immediate benefit of avoiding harmful activities, respondents showed mixed results when it came to using and disposing of potentially dangerous chemicals.
At 82 percent, responsibly disposing of hazardous materials ranked as the activity Floridians were most likely to do. Respondents, however, were less likely to change their behaviors in regards to the way they consume other chemicals.
Floridians were the least likely to limit their usage of fertilizer and pesticide. Sixty-six percent and 68 percent, respectively, of respondents indicated they would consider the reduction.
Based on the survey results, PIE Center post-doctoral associate Quisto Settle said the public might not directly connect the use of hazardous materials, fertilizer or pesticides to a negative impact on endangered species or their habitat.
“They’re not going to see what might happen because they put fertilizer on their lawn,” he said. “Still, it seems reducing the use of harmful materials is a more likely change in behavior within Floridians, even if the act itself lacks human-animal interaction.”
The PIE Center will continue to conduct public opinion surveys each year that focus on key issues in Florida. Previous topics include water and immigration reform. Results from a fourth public opinions survey, focused on food production practices, will be published in early December. The surveys will repeat annually to track changes in public opinion over time.
