Understanding factors influencing sustainable behavior and natural resource decision making

Decisions regarding the use and management of our natural resources are important for the state of Maine. If Maine is to take a leadership role in sustainable natural resource use, researchers and policymakers must be able to effectively communicate with Maine citizens about the economic, social, and environmental implications of local and statewide decisions regarding the management of Maine’s natural resources. Effective communication requires comprehensive knowledge of triggers that may influence the outcome of a decision and alter the way citizens’ process information. The proposed project seeks to determine the existence and strength of relationships between individual factors and sustainable behavior, or natural resource choices. This project also aims to identify underlying mechanisms that alter the way people process information. It is hoped that awareness of these factors will lead to improved communication about the complexities of decisions concerning Maine’s natural resources.

Investigator: Noblet, C.

Unit: School of Economics

Termination Date: 30-Sep-19