Environmental Development, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 47, P. 100907 - 100907

Published: Aug. 8, 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic had an enormous impact in terms of lives lost and socio-economic decline but also highlighted issues regarding environmental sustainability. However, few studies have investigated COVID-19-related perceptions. We thus assessed (1) people's concerns about the pandemic's adverse global impacts (2) their aspirations for a greener, pandemic-proof, post-COVID future representative survey New Zealand using two specifically designed measures. found moderate to high COVID-related concern (mean rating = 6.79 on 10-point scale) greener world 7.01 scale). Concern were unexpectedly evident even among those with low pro-environmental predispositions (e.g. general concern, recycling frequency, zero past-5-year actions) – suggesting pandemic-induced change previously unconcerned. Pre-existing dispositions behaviours not consistently associated higher ratings our measures as hypothesised. Demographic variables limited influence, while experiences financial mental health due did affect that gave rise new dimensions experienced by most society. While these offer platform society-led change, meaningful can only occur political will governments minimise present impacts, sustain environmentally beneficial practices occurred during lockdowns, prevent zoonotic epidemics pandemics steering supporting investments lead changes travel behaviour, diet, farming practices, treatment animals.

Language: Английский