Increased environmental awareness among Estonians

Written by Sturle Hauge Simonsen

Friday, 23 May 2008 00:00

A new survey has revealed that Estonians have a strong interest in environmental issues, lead by people between 40 and 49 years old. Young people are somewhat less concerned.

In the all-Estonian survey “Man and Environment 2007” 1003 Estonians between the age of 15–74 years were asked questions on environmental problems, the state of the environment, environment and human health, environmental governance, relations between environmental protection and the economy, sustainable consumption and environment in the media.

The survey was conducted by SEI Tallinn in cooperation with Turu-uuringute AS and Estonian Environmental Investment Centre in November 2007. A similar public opinion survey by SEI Tallinn and Turu-uuringute AS was carried out in 1994

Optimistic about the future
The survey revealed that Estonian people have a strong interest in environmental issues. The most environmentally aware were 40–49 years old people, somewhat more unconcerned were young, 15–19 years old respondents.

Compared to the previous survey more optimistic attitudes were expressed towards the state of the Estonian environment in 2007 and the likely future state of the environment. Respondents were also more optimistic about their own health.

The biggest environmental concern in Estonia was regarded by the respondents as the negative environmental impact of transport (due to the growing number of cars, noise, air pollution and the increased demand for land use).

This was followed by excessive logging and the decrease of forest biodiversity, the environmental impact on human health, growing amounts of waste and waste management, building on coastal areas and their closure to the public.

Compared to the 1994 survey, the biggest improvements have been in the quality of local bodies of water.

Government and state responsible
According to the opinion of the majority of respondents, the main responsibility for the protection of the Estonian environment lies with the government and state authorities. However, in 13 years the understanding that the care and participation of every person is needed for protecting the environment has increased significantly.

It was also believed that civil society organisations could influence the solving of environmental problems. At the same time it was expected that environmental NGOs could be more active.

Raising environmental awareness and changing lifestyle were considered the most efficient solutions to our environmental problems.