Who Cares about the Environment? 61 APPENDIX A: LETTER OF AUTHORISATION TAVERNER Research Company Dear Householder, August 2000 Notice of Community Survey for the New South Wales Government You have been randomly selected to take part in a telephone survey a State Government agency is conducting on a range of issues important to New South Wales. Expect a Call from Taverner Research Company Taverner Research Company has been commissioned to carry out this survey. An interviewer from Taverner Research will call you in the next week or so to talk to someone in your household who is aged between 15 and 70. Your Participation is Important The survey is easy to answer and responses will remain strictly anonymous and confidential. The information from this survey will help the Government develop programs that contribute to the needs and interests of the people of New South Wales. It will ensure that community’s attitudes and values are reflected in such programs. We Appreciate your Participation Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. We want to be sure that the findings represent the views of all people in New South Wales and we are grateful for your assistance. We would appreciate if you could please show this letter to the other adults in your household. Yours sincerely, Philip Mitchell-Taverner Managing Director
Transcript
Who Cares about the Environment? 61
APPENDIX A: LETTER OF AUTHORISATION
TAVERNER
R e s e a r c h
C o m p a n y
Dear Householder, August 2000
Notice of Community Survey
for the New South Wales Government
You have been randomly selected to take part in a telephone survey a State Governmentagency is conducting on a range of issues important to New South Wales.
Expect a Call from Taverner Research CompanyTaverner Research Company has been commissioned to carry out this survey. An interviewerfrom Taverner Research will call you in the next week or so to talk to someone in yourhousehold who is aged between 15 and 70.
Your Participation is ImportantThe survey is easy to answer and responses will remain strictly anonymous and confidential.The information from this survey will help the Government develop programs that contributeto the needs and interests of the people of New South Wales. It will ensure that community’sattitudes and values are reflected in such programs.
We Appreciate your ParticipationThank you for taking the time to read this letter. We want to be sure that the findingsrepresent the views of all people in New South Wales and we are grateful for your assistance.
We would appreciate if you could please show this letter to the other adults inyour household.
Yours sincerely,
Philip Mitchell-TavernerManaging Director
62 Who Cares about the Environment?
APPENDIX B: QUESTIONNAIREREVISED QUESTIONS AS DISCUSSED
(includes pesticides, no corporate)Taverner Research Company
Level 2, 88-90 Foveaux Street
SURRY HILLS, N.S.W. 20102000 EPA Survey of Environmental Knowledge,
Attitudes, Skills and Behaviours in NSW
September 2000
Sydney 1
Newcastle 2
Wollongong 3
Small country towns (population between 3,000 and15,000) 4
Location:Q.34. Which of the following do youlive in?
READ OUT
Rural areas 5
Male 1Sex: Q.31. SEX: RECORDAUTOMATICALLY Female 2
INTRODUCTION:“Good (....). My name is (....) from TAVERNER RESEARCH COMPANY. Did you receive the letter we sent inviting someonein your household to take part in a study we are conducting on behalf of the New South Wales Government?
“Today we are conducting a survey about issues that are important to the people of New South Wales. Your household has beenrandomly selected to take part in the survey and so if you have time now we would like to include you in the study. For thepurposes of training, this call could be monitored by my Supervisor.”
IF TOO BUSY/UNAVAILABLE MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO CALL BACK, OTHERWISE CONTINUE.
S.1. We need to speak to one person in each household and it is very im portant that we randomly select that person.FOLLOW THE SELECTION PROCESS.
Farming and Agriculture 1Education 2The health system 3Crime 4The environment 5Unemployment 6Public Transport 7Industrial relations 8The economy 9Alcohol and other drugs 10Other (Specify) 11
Q.1a) What would you say are thetwo most important issues for attentionby the State Government at present?
RECORD UP TO TWO ONLY
DO NOT READ OUT
(Don’t know/not sure) 12
Farming and Agriculture 1Education 2The health system 3Crime 4The environment 5Unemployment 6Public Transport 7Industrial relations 8The economy 9Alcohol and other drugs 10Other (Specify) 11
Q.1b) Now thinking ahead about 10years, what do you think will be the twomost important issues for attention bythe State Government at that time?
RECORD UP TO TWO ONLY
DO NOT READ OUT
(Don’t know / not sure) 12
Who Cares about the Environment? 63
Q.2a Most Q.2b SecondPollution of beaches and / or the ocean 1 1Fresh water pollution - creeks, river, etc. 2 2Sewage treatment/sewerage problems, general 3 3Water pollution/water quality - other, general,including quality of tap water (Specify) 4 4
Motor vehicles, vehicle emissions 5 5Industrial emissions or waste 6 6Smells, odours 7 7Ozone layer - UV radiation 8 8Greenhouse effect’/global warming /climate change 9 9Air pollution / air quality - other, general (Specify) 10 10Pollution - general, unspecified (Specify) 11 11Aircraft noise 12 12Vehicle / traffic noise 13 13Noise - industry 14 14Noise - other, unspecified, general (Specify) 15 15Litter and dumping of rubbish, etc. 17 17Recycling issues / household rubbish or garbage 18 18Wasteful packaging of products 19 19Waste or waste disposal / waste management - other,general (Specify)
20 20
Water conservation / management 22 22Energy conservation / management 23 23Household or garden pesticides/exposure to householdor garden pesticides
25 25
Agricultural chemicals or agricultural pesticides(includes herbicides etc) 35 35
Household, urban or industrial chemicals (other thanpesticides)
27 27
Agricultural fertilizers 36 36Transport and storage of dangerous chemicals/chemicalexplosions/spills 26 26
Urban development / loss of natural environment, treesopen space as a result of housing development, etc. 28 28
Q.2a) What would you sayis the single mostimportant environmentalissue in New South Walestoday?
ONE RESPONSE
DO NOT READ OUT
THEN ASK:
Q.2b) And the secondmost important issue?
SECOND RESPONSEONLY
(Don’t know / not sure) 99 99NOTE: The statement numbers currently match the coding from 1994.
64 Who Cares about the Environment?
A great deal 1A fair amount 2Not very much 3Not at all GO TO Q.10 4
Q.3a) In general, how concerned are you aboutenvironmental problems?
Would you say you are concerned… a great deal,a fair amount, not very much OR not at all? (Don’t know / not sure) 5
Health effects of pollution 1Quality of life 2Concern for future generations 3Long-term economic sustainability 4Sustainability of ecosystems - nature, plants andanimals 6
Q.3.b) Which of the following best describeswhat you are concerned about?
READ OUT. ROTATE ORDER OF OPTIONS.
IF ‘NONE’ ASK: What is the main thing you areconcerned about? RECORD UNDER "OTHER" (Other - specify)- 5
(Q.4-9 = BLANK)
Muchbetter
Better Worse
Muchworse
Little/nochange
NotSure/DK
1. Reducing greenhouse gasemissions 1 2 3 4 5 9
2. Protection of endangeredplants and animals
1 2 3 4 5 9
3. Cleanliness of beaches andocean 1 2 3 4 5 9
4. Dealing with householdrubbish 1 2 3 4 5 9
5. Minimising the amount ofwaste the community produces 1 2 3 4 5 9
6. Quality of the air 1 2 3 4 5 9
7. Water quality in rivers, lakesand creeks 1 2 3 4 5 9
8. Reducing water consumption 1 2 3 4 5 99. Transport, storage and use ofdangerous industrial chemicals
1 2 3 4 5 9
10. Protection of soil and soilquality 1 2 3 4 5 9
11. Dealing with industrialemissions 1 2 3 4 5 9
12. Quietness, control of noise 1 2 3 4 5 913. Balancing forest conservationwith maintaining a viable timberindustry
1 2 3 4 5 9
14. Prosecuting environmentaloffenders
1 2 3 4 5 9
15. The environment in general 1 2 3 4 5 9
16. Encouraging alternatives tomotor vehicles such as more useof public transport, cycling orwalking
1 2 3 4 5 9
Q10. I’ll nowread out a listof differentenvironmentalissues orsituations.
For each onecan you pleasetell me if youthink that, overthe last threeyears, things inNew SouthWales havebecomeMuch better,Better,Worse, orMuch worse, orThere has beenlittle or nochange.
ROTATEORDER OFSTATEMENTS
17. Reducing risks associatedwith the use of pesticides (suchas herbicides, insecticides,fungicides)
1 2 3 4 5 9
Note: Code numbers to match 1997 survey
TRUE FALSE
NOTSURE
Most of the air pollution in urban areas of NewSouth Wales is caused by motor vehicles
1 2 3
The greenhouse effect is caused by a hole in theEarth’s atmosphere 1 2 3
Oxygen and water are needed for composting towork effectively 1 2 3
Q11. Now I’ll read out a list ofstatements. For each one, could youtell me whether you think that it isa true or a false statement.
READ OUT
ROTATE ORDER OFSTATEMENTS
Most stormwater drains in NSW run directly intowaterways or the ocean 1 2 3
Who Cares about the Environment? 65
Yes No
NotSure
Notapply
1. Decided for environmental reasons to re-usesomething instead of throwing it away 1 2 3 9
2. Recycled bottles or cans or paper or plastic insteadof throwing them away 1 2 3 9
3. Composted food and/or garden refuse 1 2 3 9
4. When doing the shopping, tried to avoid productswith lots of packaging 1 2 3 9
5. Chosen household products that you think arebetter for the environment 1 2 3 9
6. Made an effort for environmental reasons toreduce water consumption
1 2 3 9
7. Avoided putting things like oil and fat or turps andpaints down the sink or toilet
1 2 3 9
8. Avoided putting things like litter, detergents, grassclippings or leaves into the gutters or stormwaterdrains
1 2 3 9
9. Reducing electricity consumption by turning offlights and using appliances more efficiently 1 2 3 9
10. Reduced use of the car for environmental reasonsby car-pooling, using public transport, bicycling orwalking
1 2 3 9
11. Tried to get information on some topic that youthought was relevant to protecting the environment 1 2 3 9
Q12. Doing the right thingfor the environment is notalways easy for people intoday’s busy world.Different people find theycan do different thingsand, perhaps for people insome situations, there isnot a lot they can reallydo.
From the list of things I’llread out to you in amoment, can you pleasetell me for each onewhether or not you havepersonally done that thingin the last twelve months.If any one of the thingsdoes not apply to you forsome reason, you can sayit doesn’t apply rather thansaying ‘no.
I’ll now read out the list,and you give me a ‘yes’, a‘no’ or a ‘doesn’t apply’for each item.
ROTATE ORDER OFSTATEMENTS
12. Written a letter, or signed a petition, or attended ameeting, or made a report or complaint with the aimof improving the environment
1 2 3 9
(Q.13-16 = BLANK)
Muchtoo strict
A bittoo
strict
Aboutright
A bittoolax
Muchtoo lax
Notsure/DK
Farmers 1 2 3 4 5 9
Manufacturing industry 1 2 3 4 5 9
Individual households 1 2 3 4 5 9
Mining industry 1 2 3 4 5 9
Forestry industry 1 2 3 4 5 9
Q17. The Government andlocal councils are responsiblefor enforcing rules which areintended to protect or improvethe environment, by regulatingwhat individuals, companies,farmers, etc. may do.
I’ll read out a number ofdifferent areas in which theserules apply, and I’d like you totell me if you feel that theseenvironmental regulations are... much too strict, a bit toostrict, about right or a bit toolax or much too lax for eachone. READ OUT
ROTATE ORDER OFSTATEMENTS
ASK LAST: use ofpesticides 1 2 3 4 5 9
(Q.18-20 = BLANK)
Q.21. What would you say is the single most important thing that the NSW Government could do to protect the environmentover the next few years? RECORD VERBATIM. DO NOT AID.
(Q.22-41 = BLANK)
66 Who Cares about the Environment?
PESTICIDES QUESTIONS (replacing EPA knowledge)
Little or no harmful effect on people’s health 1
Some harmful effect on people’s health 2
Quite a lot of harmful effect on people’s health 3
A very harmful effect on people’s health 4
I have a few questions on the subject of PESTICIDES.Pesticides include herbicides, insecticides, baits,fungicides and repellents.
Q.42 (AFTER READING INTRODUCTION)
To what extent do you think pesticides are having aharmful effect, if any, on people’s health? Do you thinkpesticides are having little or no harmful effect onpeople’s health, some harmful effect, quite a lot ofharmful effect or a very harmful effect on people’shealth?
(Don’t know/cannot say) 9
Little or no harmful effect on the environment 1
Some harmful effect on the environment 2
Quite a lot of harmful effect on the environment 3
A very harmful effect on the environment 4
Q.43To what extent do you think pesticides arehaving a harmful effect, if any, on THEENVIRONMENT? Do you think pesticides arehaving little or no harmful effect on theenvironment, some harmful effect, quite a lotof harmful effect or a very harmful effect onthe environment?
(Don’t know/Cannot say) 9
DO NOT AID Q.44a) Q.44b)
Keep away from other people/children 1 1
Wear safety clothing 2 2
Read and follow the instructions 3 3
Notify neighbours before use 4 4Use in safe conditions ( e.g. not toowindy) 6 6
Dispose of containers and leftoversproperly 7 7
Do not let it contaminate food, water 8 8
Keep use to a minimum 9 9
Keep a record 10 10
Have training 11 11
Other (specify) 12 12
Don’t know 13 13
Q.44 When using pesticides properly, whatshould HOUSEHOLDERS do?PROBE: What else should householders do?
RECORD FIRST RESPONSEb) ALL OTHER RESPONSES
None/nothing 14 14
Who Cares about the Environment? 67
DO NOT AID Q.44a) Q.44b)
Keep away from other people/children 1 1
Wear safety clothing 2 2
Read and follow the instructions 3 3
Notify neighbours before use 4 4
Use in safe conditions ( e.g. not toowindy) 6 6
Dispose of containers and leftoversproperly 7 7
Do not let it contaminate food, water 8 8
Keep use to a minimum 9 9
Keep a record 10 10
Have training 11 11
Other (specify) 12 12
Don’t know 13 13
Q.45 When using pesticides properly, whatshould FARMERS do?PROBE: What else should farmers do?
RECORD FIRST RESPONSEb) ALL OTHER RESPONSES
None/nothing 14 14
(Q.46-51 = BLANK)
EVERYONE
Definitely need to use less water 1
Probably need to use less water 2
Probably do not need to use less water 3
Definitely no need to use less water 4
The next few questions are about the use of water in New SouthWales….Q.52. Do you think that there is a need for the community in NewSouth Wales to use less water or is there not a need to use lesswater?
READ OUT
(Don’t know/Cannot say) 9
Don’t know 1
None/none at all 2Q.53 What do you think are the environmental benefits to NewSouth Wales and the community, if any, of using less water?What other benefits to the environment can you think of, if any, fromusing less water?
Yes- benefits(SPECIFY)
Post code from verbatims(we do not know what therange will be)
68 Who Cares about the Environment?
No changes/nothing I can think of 1SKIP TO Q.56
Shorter time in the shower/using less water in theshower or bath 2
Turning tap off when brushing teeth, etc. 3
Fixing leaks 4
Recycling water from bath/laundry/shower 5
Not hosing paths etc as much 6
Using efficient means of garden watering (eg. dripsinstead of sprays) 7
Planting Australian natives 8
Reduced size of lawn/gardens 9
Washing car infrequently/not at all 10
Washing car on the grass/lawn 11
Water garden in the evening/night 12
Water saving devices (eg. shower rose, front loadingwashing machine)
13
Using washing machine and/or dishwasher moreefficiently 14
Dual flush toilet/use half flush/brick in the toilet 15
Install/now have a rainwater tank 16
Drinking less water 17
Using innovative water efficient irrigation systems(ie. for large scale agricultural practices, nothousehold gardens)
18
Using recycled water for manufacturing/industrialprocesses 19
Q.54 Is there anything you have donedifferently in recent times, to use lesswater?RECENT TIMES = PAST 2/3YEARS???PROBE: What did you change?
What else?
(Other - specify) 50
Q.55a firstmention
Q.55b otherfactors
Don’t know/None 1 1
A media story 2 2
An advertisement/promotion 3 3
Water restrictions 4 4
To save money 5 5
Community responsibility 6 6
Concern for the environment 7 7
Water shortage/drought 8 8
IF USED LESS WATERQ.55a) What lead you to use lesswater?
RECORD FIRSTMENTIONQ.55b) What else, if anything, lead youto use less water?
(Other - specify) 20 20
Who Cares about the Environment? 69
Defeasier
Probeasier
Posseasier
Notmuch
Not atall
Notsure
1. If I had more informationabout ways to save water 1 2 3 4 5 9
2. If I could get incentives tosave water (eg. credittowards installing a rainwater tank or dual flushtoilet)
1 2 3 4 5 9
3. If water saving deviceswere cheaper (eg. dual flushtoilets, water saving showerheads)
1 2 3 4 5 9
4. If there were more publicdemonstrations of watersaving techniques
1 2 3 4 5 9
5. If water prices were higher 1 2 3 4 5 9
ALLQ.56 I will read out somesuggestions that might makeit easier for the communityin New South Wales to useless water.As I say each suggestion,please tell me if that wouldmake it easier for you to savewater or not make it anyeasier.READ OUT SUGGESTION-ROTATE ORDERWould that make it easier foryou to save water or notmake it any easier.Is thatdefinitely/probably/possibly(etc)?
6. If I could be assured thatrecycled water is safe fornon-drinking purposes (eg.for lawns etc)
1 2 3 4 5 9
DEMOGRAPHICS:15-19 1
20-24 2
25-29 3
30-34 4
35-44 5
45-54 6
55-64 7
65-70 8
Age:Q.22. Finally, I’d just like to ask you a few questions just tomake sure we have spoken to a good cross section of people.Firstly, can I just confirm your age?
(Refused) 9
Yes 1First Language:Q.24. Is English your first language? No 2
IF NO:Q.24a) What is your first language?WRITE IN
(pre-code from 1997 coded list)
No formal schooling 1
Primary school 2
Some secondary school 3
Completed secondary school (HSC, LeavingCertificate, etc.) 4
Trade or technical qualification (e.g. TAFE) 5
University or CAE diploma, degree or higherdegree
6
Level of education completedQ.25. What is the highest level of education you havecompleted?
(Refused) 7
70 Who Cares about the Environment?
In paid work (full time or part time - includesbeing self-employed) 1
Unemployed and looking for work 2
Student 3
Home duties 4
Retired / age pensioner 5
Other pensioner 6
Other (specify) 7
Employment status:Q.26. Which one of the following best describes you?
(Refused) 8
Male 1Sex: Q.31. SEX: CONFIRMATION - RECORDAUTOMATICALLY Female 2
Type of dwelling:Q.32. Which of the following best describes the type ofdwelling you live in?READ OUT
Other (specify) 4
Sydney 1
Newcastle 2
Wollongong 3
Large country towns (population over 15,000) 4
Small country towns (population between 3,000and 15,000)
5
Location:Q.34. Which of the following do you live in?
READ OUT
Rural areas 6
Postcode:Q.35. Please could you tell me your postcode? CHECK AGAINST SAMPLE
NOW SAY: “Thank you very much for the time you’ve taken to participate in this survey. In case my supervisor needs tocheck anything, could I please confirm your name?”
CLOSE INTERVIEW
Who Cares about the Environment? 71
APPENDIX C:
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH DISCUSSION GUIDE
Introduction� Introduce self/Taverner Research� Explain group discussions & confidentiality� Explain taping / colleagues listening in
Today we will be talking about issues that are important to people in New South Wales. Weare trying to understand what people in NSW feel are the important issues the StateGovernment should be doing something about (including why these issues are consideredimportant).
1. Important issues facing state government
� What are the top I or 2 issues you feel the State Govt needs to concentrate on at themoment? Why is that? [look for health, education, environment etc..}
� Why is (each issue) important? What aspects in particular need attention? Why?� What were the issues 5 or even 10 years ago? Same as today or different? Why? What
has happened in that time {look for issues addressed/problems in hand etc]� Now thinking ahead about ten years – what do you think will be the most important
issues? Same as today or different? Why? What do you see changing in that time?
2. Environmental issues
� These days where do environmental issues rank as a priority for Govt Action? Moreurgent or less urgent now? Why?
� Why do you think that is? Do you agree with that?� How concerned are people about the environment? How does this compare with (say)
5 years ago? Why?� Why is it that some people are concerned about the environment?� Why are some people not as concerned about the environment as they used to be?� What are the important environmental issues today? Have these changed from (say) 5
years ago? In what way? [REFER Q2 CHECKLIST]� Some people think the environment will be more of an issue again in ten years time,
rather than being a big concern now. What do you think? Why?� Why do you think that the environment might not be rated as a number one concern
for some people (eg. not as important as a govt focus on health or education)? [lookfor appropriate action already in place]
� Is the environment becoming more or less important in terms of people wanting govtaction? Explain
� When people talk about “sustainability of ecosystems” , what do they mean? PROBEMEANING OF quality of life, future generations
3. Environmental situations: improved or deteriorated
� In NSW have you noticed any improvements in the environment, say over the last 3to 5 years? [REFER TO CHECKLIST]
� In what way has (…) improved?� Are there any aspects of the environment that are worse now/have deteriorated? In
what ways?� “Water” tends to be nominated as a key concern, despite many saying that they can
see improvements have been made – why is that? What is still of concern?
72 Who Cares about the Environment?
ChecklistReducing greenhouse gas emissionsProtection of endangered plants and animalsCleanliness of beaches and oceanDealing with household rubbishMinimising the amount of waste the community producesQuality of the airWater quality in rivers, lakes and creeksReducing water consumptionTransport, storage and use of dangerous industrial chemicalsDealing with industrial emissionsQuietness, control of noiseProsecuting offendersAlternatives to motor vehiclesReducing risks associated with the use of pesticides
4. Environmentally friendly behaviour
� Do you do anything differently now for environmental reasons that you never used todo? What? [REFER TO CHECKLIST]
� What other things do you know of that people can do to improve or protect theenvironment?
� Why have people embraced environmentally friendly behaviour? What motivatesthem?
� What has helped people to adopt environmentally friendly behaviour? (education etc)� Is there anything you know you could do for the environment, but just don’t? How do
you feel about that? [only so much can do versus guilt?]
5. Water conservation
� Is there a need to use less water in NSW? Why/why not?� Is there anything you have done differently to use less water? SPECIFY� Do people make the same efforts now to use less water compared to what they might
have done in the past? Why – what has changed?� What are the environmental benefits, if any, of using less water?� What could be done to make it easier or encourage people to use less water?
6. Pesticides
� What do you use in your garden to control pests?� How do you select these products – what criteria?� Are there any guidelines on how to best use pesticides? [LOOK FOR AWARENESS
OF POTENTIAL HEALTH THREAT]� Do pesticides used in the garden pose any health risk to people? What about to the
environment?
7 Enforcement
� Both the State and Local Governments are responsible for enforcing laws, whichprotect or improve the environment by regulating what individuals, companies,farmers, etc can do. Do you feel these regulations are more on the strict or lax side?Why do you think that?
