Modelling categorical data to identify factors influencing concern for the natural environment in Iran

• Published in: Journal of environmental management 2011-10, Vol.92 (10), p.2836-2843
• Main Authors: Parizanganeh, Abdolhossein, Lakhan, V. Chris, Yazdani, Mahmoud, Ahmad, Sajid R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Age; Age Factors; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Attitude; Biological and medical sciences; Categories; Conservation of Natural Resources; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; Data collection; Education; Education and sustainability; Educational attainment; Educational Status; Environment; Environmental concerns; Environmental management; Environmental Policy; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; General aspects. Techniques; Geographic information systems; Geographical information system; Geographical information systems; Humans; Iran; Linear Models; Loglinear modelling; Male; Mathematical models; Methods and techniques (sampling, tagging, trapping, modelling...); Middle Aged; Modelling; Models, Statistical; Policies; Surveys; Sustainability; Sustainable development
• ISSN: 0301-4797; 1095-8630
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2011.06.037

Loglinear modelling techniques were used to identify the interactions and interrelationships underlying categorical environmental concern data collected from 9062 respondents in Iran. After fitting various loglinear models to the data, the most parsimonious model highlighted that a combination of interacting factors, namely educational attainment, age, gender, and residential location were responsible for influencing personal concern for the environment. Although high educational attainment had a close correspondence with high concern for the environment the loglinear results, when visualized with a geographical information system, demonstrated wide spatial variations in educational attainment and concern for the environment. Nearly two-thirds of the respondents were not highly educated, and were therefore not highly concerned for the environment. The finding that both rural and urban male and female respondents in the 15–24 years age category, with 10–12 years of education, had the strongest interaction with personal concern for the environment could be beneficial for policy planners to utilize education as the primary instrument to enhance environmental governance and prospects for sustainable development. ► Environmental concern data were collected from 9062 respondents throughout Iran. ► Loglinear techniques were used to study the interactions underlying collected data. ► A GIS showed spatial variations in education levels and concern for the environment. ► The 15–24 age group with 10–12 years education had more concern for the environment. ► Nearly 66% of respondents, with low education, had less environmental concern.