Michael Tomaino
Research Outline
Social Science
MP3 – Part 1
Introduction:
It is obvious that the world has seen a much more uniform and progressive push for
environmentally friendly practices. Dubbed “green initiatives”, these movements have become of
necessity among Public Relations and common practice for the majority of individuals either at
home, school, or work. Sustainability efforts are of almost guaranteed existence at high schools,
at colleges, at universities, at business parks, in towns, in hotels, in public bathrooms, and even
in private homes. In addition to multiple places, there are multiple ways people are encouraged
to “reduce their carbon footprint” and “support sustainability.” In bathrooms, administrations
advocate air dryers to save paper and either employ timed faucets or encourage turning off the
faucet to save water. At Duke University, a two-way flush handle is used that saves water when
disposing of liquid waste. Consumers are encouraged in commercials and by the world around
them to purchase cars like the Toyota Prius and Nissan Leaf to reduce pollution. Globally,
legislation has pushed for lower overall CO2 production in industry.
With all these surges for sustainability, one might wonder if participants are truly interested
in the movements. One could argue that consumers purchase Nissan Leafs in a selfish effort to
save money on gas or that people only throw paper and plastic in recycling bins if they can reach
it from their desk. This raises the question of whether or not individual knowledge regarding
these green initiatives would affect attempts to participate and conserve. Of the 2200 pounds of
recyclable trash generated per person per year, only 900 are recycled [1]. How many individuals
actually know what reducing a carbon footprint means? How many people understand the
process of recycling or what harm wasted water can cause? Do people realize that each ton of
paper recycled can save 380 gallons of oil 7,000 gallons of water, and 4100 kilowatt-hours of
energy [1]? These questions aim to understand the psychology of participating in sustainability
efforts. Through surveys and research regarding the topic, a better understanding of why humans
do (or do not) advocate and participate in sustainability efforts can be reached.
Some of the more pressing issues, specifically ocean acidification and global warming, have
been widely publicized. An Inconvenient Truth and A Sea Change both increased awareness of
these major issues, but do people know how each green initiative specifically contributes to these
phenomena? This research could establish a new method of increasing activism and participation
through knowledge rather than guilt.
Nobody can deny that lowering emissions and recycling is a beneficial practice, but there is
likely a disparity between individual knowledge on the subject. In addition to the aforementioned
statistics, some may or may not know that the amount of wood and paper disposed of each year
is enough to heat 1,000,000,000 homes for a year [1], car emissions kill 30,00 Americans each
year [2], and that SUVs put out approximately 50% more pollutants than an average car [2]. It is
important to not only spread this knowledge, but also understand how this raised awareness will
affect progress.
Rationale:
Many people recycle without thinking. They choose better fuel economy or public
transportation instantly. They turn of the faucet or lights when not needed. It stands to reason that
more people may be inclined to participate in the green initiative if they were educated on how
each “green” act specifically contributed to a cleaner, safer future. This research will serve two
functions. On a straightforward basis, multiple individuals will be educated on the specifics of
conserving power, reducing fossil fuel combustion, and recycling plastics and metals. Upon
analysis, though, the studies should reveal important information regarding why individuals
choose or decline to participate and encourage thinks like recycling and reducing emissions.
Hypotheses:
If individuals are better educated on the specific benefits of the many popular
sustainability efforts, then they will be more inclined to make a conscious effort to participate
and advocated their principles.
Methodology:
Surveys will be created and taken by our peers. We will collects knowledge on how much
they already know about the various green initiatives, and ask why they participate and how
often. Then, after reporting some facts about the details behind each initiative, we will ask if they
are more eager or willing to recycle, turn off the water, turn off the lights, or drive a Prius.
Anticipated Significance and Application:
Understanding why and to what extent different individuals contribute to sustainability is
an integral step in increasing overall participation. This project will help develop a strategy for
increasing awareness and participation the multiple sustainability efforts. The results can and
should be applied to ocean acidification and global warming (products of fossil fuel combustion),
recycling (including the conservation of carbon-based paper, oil-based plastics, and aluminum),
energy conservation (also a product of fossil fuel combustion), and water preservation.
References:
[1] “Recycling Stats”. Green Waste. 7 November 2011. Web.
<http://www.greenwaste.com/recycling-stats>.
[2] “Pollution Statistics”. P.E.A.C.E..7 November 2011. Web. <http://www.whatifpeace.com/>.
-more coming... proper format coming