Fall 2011 Sustainability Survey Assessing First Year Student Campus Awareness, Literacy, and Habits Regarding Sustainability Issues.

Transcription

1 Fall 2011 Sustainability Survey Assessing First Year Student Campus Awareness, Literacy, and Habits Regarding Sustainability Issues November 2011

2 Who Completed the Survey? Number of CSB/SJU First Years: 1095 Q2. At which campus do you spend most of your time? Total Number of Responses: 136 Survey Period October: 10 th -31 st, 2011 SJU 28% Q1. Please indicate your sex Male 24% CSB 72% Female 76%

3 99% of first years know the definition of sustainability. Sustainability means being economically viable and socially just as well as environmentally sound. 99% True False 1% Q2. Sustainability means being economically viable and socially just as well as environmentally sound.

4 First Years primarily think of: (1)Being green (2)Conservation/Recycling, and (3)Environment/Natural Resources when they think about sustainability. Being green Conservation/Recycling Environment/Natural Resources 104 Ability to sustain life on earth Balance of environmental, societal and economic considerations in decision Not harming future generations 80 How long something lasts 72 Don t Know Q19. What comes to mind when you hear the term sustainability? (Check all that apply)

5 Important 54% Very Important 27% 81% of first years think it is important CSB/SJU be a leader in sustainability. Q4. How important is it to you that CSB/SJU be a leader in sustainability and the environment? Not at all important 1% Unimportant 1% Neutral 17%

6 48% 36% 82% of first years expect to learn more about sustainability at CSB/SJU. Strongly Agree 14% Agree Neutral Q3. I expect to learn more about sustainability during my time at CSB/SJU. 1% 1% Disagree Strongly Disagree

7 80% of first years believe practicing sustainability will improve their life. Improve my life 80% Not affect my life 15% Inconvenience my life 5% Q16. Practicing sustainability will...

8 First years act sustainably because it: (1)is the right thing to do (2)saves money (3)protects human health It's the right thing to do to make the world a better place 67% Saving money 21% Protecting human health 8% Q6. Which best explains any personal motivation on your part for becoming involved in making sustainable choices? Not going to make sustainable choices 1% Friend/peer influence 3%

9 $25 24% $10 29% 60% of first years would be willing to pay a fee to make campus more sustainable. $50+ 7% $0 40% Q15. I would be willing to pay a fee of to make campus more sustainable.

10 First years think the most important environmental related issues at CSB/SJU are: (1) recycling (2) waste reduction 1. Recycling 2. Reducing the amount of Waste Generated 94% important 92% important Q8. How important to you are the following environmental-related issues at CSB/SJU?

11 Followed by: (3) energy reduction (4) composting food waste 4. Composting Food Waste 3. Reducing Energy Consumption 83% important 85% important Q8. How important to you are the following environmental-related issues at CSB/SJU?

12 Then: (5) alternative transportation (6) fertilizer and pesticide use 5. Alternative Transportation 6. Use of fertilizers and pesticides 74% important 57% important Q8. How important to you are the following environmental-related issues at CSB/SJU?

13 First years most often: (1)recycle (2)turn off lights (3)make healthy food choices 2. I turn off lights and electronics when not in use 1. I recycle plastic, aluminum, paper and cardboard when possible. 66% 89% Always/Usually 9% 23% Always Usually Sometimes Rarely Never 1% 1% 44% 85% Always/Usually 41% Always Usually Sometimes Rarely 3. I make healthy food choices when possible. Never 2% 13% 22% 47% 69% Always/Usually Always Usually Sometimes Rarely Q11. How often do you do the following things? 3% 28% Never

14 Less Often First Years: (4) Bring a reusable Bag (5) Buy local/second-hand goods 4. I bring a reusable bag when shopping. 5. I buy locally-produced or second-hand goods. 19% 6% 34% 27% Always/Usually 14% 27% Always Usually Sometimes Rarely Never 16% 4% 4% 17% 59% 20% Always/Usually Always Usually Sometimes Rarely Never Q11. How often do you do the following things?

15 Most first years think climate change is/will be a problem and understand the connection between energy use and greenhouse gas emissions How much of a problem will global climate change be......in your lifetime....for future generations? 100% of the first years who answered the survey knew that when energy is conserved, fewer greenhouse gas emissions are released into the atmosphere. Q9. When I conserve energy, I contribute fewer greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. 0 No problem Minor problem Major problem Q10. How much of a problem will global climate change be...

16 Very important 44% 86% of first years think it is important renewable energy is considered to power CSB/SJU. Important 42% Neutral 11% Q5. How important is it to you that CSB/SJU consider renewable energy sources for its energy needs? Not at all important 1% Unimportant 2%

17 First years think CSB/SJU should become more sustainable by: (1) investing in alternative energy (2) investing in efficiency (3) investing in low carbon transportation CSB/SJU should become more sustainable by: Q24. CSB/SJU should become more sustainable by: (Check all that apply)