Environmental Awareness, Environmental Attitude, Ecological Intelligence, Ecological Sensitivity

è ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS:

Involves the gradual understanding of environmental issues, and the recognition of the connections among human actions, development, sustainability and human responsibility in these processes. Environmental awareness involves the realization that humans and ecosystems co-exist in a shared environment, which is ultimately the biosphere.

è ENVIRONMENTAL ATTITUDE:

• Environmental attitudes are our mental evaluations, feelings, and intentions related to the natural world.
• These attitudes often influence our actions, impacting environmental quality.
• Environmental attitudes can be described in terms of preservation (protecting the environment) and utilization (using natural resources sustainably).
• Factors like age, gender, education, and values influence our environmental attitudes.
• Environmental education aims to improve these attitudes, but results vary.
• The theory of planned behavior and value-beliefs-norm theory help in explaining attitude-behavior relations.
• Environmental attitudes fluctuate based on current events and personal experiences.
• Mass media shape attitudes, both raising awareness and perpetuating misinformation.
• Overcoming inertia, convenience, and competing priorities remains a challenge.

Understanding and nurturing positive environmental attitudes contribute to a healthier planet!

è ECOLOGICAL INTELLIGENCE:

• Ecological intelligence refers to our collective ability to understand the human impact on ecosystems and to act in ways that improve them.
• We need ecological intelligence because the net impact of human activity on the environment is a disaster. From global warming to industrial chemicals, our actions have far-reaching consequences.
• Ecological intelligence involves understanding the intricate interactions between thousands of chemicals, their effects on our bodies, and the resulting health risks.
• It prompts us to appreciate the richness and diversity of plants and animals, while also recognizing the risk of species extinction due to human actions.
• Being environmentally aware contributes to reducing climate change effects and ensuring the availability of Earth’s resources for future generations.

Thus, ecological intelligence empowers us to make informed choices for a healthier planet!

è ECOLOGICAL SENSITIVITY:

• Ecological sensitivity refers to an individual’s ability to perceive and process information about their environment. It’s a fundamental trait found in many organisms, enabling them to adapt to different environmental conditions.
• Levels of ecological sensitivity can vary significantly from person to person. Some individuals are more sensitive to specific conditions, while others are less so.
• This trait is observed across various species, including pumpkinseed fish, zebra finches, mice, non-human primates, and humans. It suggests a biological basis for these differences in sensitivity.
• Ecological sensitivity integrates several theories, such as the diathesis-stress model, vantage sensitivity, differential susceptibility, biological sensitivity to context, and sensory processing sensitivity.
• Ecological sensitivity empowers us to make informed choices for a healthier planet by understanding our impact on ecosystems and adapting positively to environmental changes.

Remember, our sensitivity to the environment matters—it shapes our actions and influences the world around us!