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Dryad

Measuring social dimensions of sustainability at the community level: An illustrative but cautionary tale

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Abstract

Many communities are working to enhance the sustainability of their physical, economic, and social systems. While economic and physical systems are routinely measured (e.g., money, energy, greenhouse gas emissions), important psychological and behavioral elements of social systems (norms, attitudes, individual behavior) are seldom tracked. This research evaluated a potentially scalable approach to measuring the impact of local sustainability initiatives on these variables in a community engaged in a holistic effort to promote sustainability. Survey data were collected at two timepoints measuring pro-environmental thought and behavior in two small towns in Ohio: Oberlin, a community engaged in holistic efforts to enhance environmentally sustainable behavior; and Berea, a similar community used as a control. Despite verifiable changes in Oberlin due to sustainability programs and awareness of these programs, our survey results did not provide strong evidence that program efforts resulted in the desired changes in attitudes, norms and behaviors. Pro-environmental attitudes about recycling and installing LED bulbs were two exceptions. Conclusions: Assessing the psychological and behavioral dimensions of sustainability poses particular challenges. In our study, we encountered ceiling effects and inadequate statistical power. Possibly norms and attitudes are not easily influenced even by a holistic community-wide effort.