Environmental activism and attitudes toward wastewater pollution in Puerto Rico.

Abstract

This study examines the effects of community activism on the environmental attitudes of residents affected by wastewater pollution in Puerto Rico. While it is recognized that the involvement of residents in community organizations is critical to environmental planning and policy decisions by government, this involvement may be constrained by several factors. These factors include resident perceptions of the environmental problem and their attitudes toward government agencies and community action. This study considers the relative influence of community activism on the residents' perceptions of the wastewater pollution problem and their attitudes toward government and community activism. Perceptions and attitudes are derived from a 1987 survey of residents at three sites in the La Plata River Basin affected by wastewater pollution. The sites differ in levels of community activism among residents. Resident perceptions of the magnitude and impact of the wastewater pollution problem are compared between the three study sites and within each site. Attitudes toward government and community action are also compared. The findings show that residents of the site characterized as highly active gave the poorest rating of stream water quality and perceived a greater impact from wastewater pollution on the community. It was found that attitudes toward government were negative among all affected residents, but were less negative among those aware of community actions carried out in their communities. The residents who were most aware of the specific actions taken by community organizations, and who felt that agencies were responsive, considered community action more effective. Results of the study show that both government agencies and community organizations benefit from greater resident involvement in environmental community actions. The attitudes toward government agencies improve as resident awareness of these actions increases. The community organizations must not only be very active, but must also educate residents as to actions being taken and incremental victories obtained in efforts to improve stream water quality. The findings show that this information is critical to improving resident confidence in community action.