Profile of Ohio Adults with Low Environmental Literacy
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Date
2003-06
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Abstract
Environmental literacy is defined as an understanding of natural systems combined with how they interact with human social systems. An Ohio study measured adults' knowledge of ecological principles as the basis of understanding. A telephone survey of 504 Ohio adults measured their knowledge of ecological principles along with their demographics. Low literacy adults are significantly different from those who exhibit high literacy. The lowest literacy group was characterized as less educated, below the median household income, older, female, and minority. Low literacy adults are less likely to engage in outdoor activities, gain information from environmental groups, but are more likely to gain information from television. Low literacy adults are more likely than high literacy adults to use alternative transportation. In targeting environmental education programs to heads of households and Ohio voters, adults with low environmental literacy need to be approached differently than those with high literacy.
Description
Author Institution: Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, The Ohio State University ; Strategic Research Group ; School of Health Sciences, Ohio University
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Citation
The Ohio Journal of Science. v103, n3 (June, 2003), 38-41