This is the fourth in a series of surveys since 1989. Certain basic questions in the enquiry have remained unchanged, such as how important environmental care is compared with other social goals, what people think about traffic and transport in the city, and questions relating to recycling. But certain additions have been made over the years, such as those concerning community planning and perceived environment. Questions on recycling and other environmental behaviour have also been extended in later editions of the surveys.

The environmental attitudes of Helsinki citizens have recently been surveyed for the fourth time since 1989. These recent findings were compared with those made in 1994 and 2000. The four cross-sections studied vary strongly in economic terms. Spring 1989 was a time of optimism, with low unemployment and rising property value. In 1994, it was just the opposite, due to a recent economic recession. In 2000, the economic conditions were similar to 1989, although unemployment in the wake of the recession was still a severe problem.

In terms of environmental attitudes, environmental protection is considered among other social goals.  All four surveys show that environmental care ranks highly on people’s list of priorities, although a certain variation over time can be seen.

The empirical data was gathered by postal questionnaires sent to 2,300 Helsinki residents. The response rate was 63%.

The survey allowed comparisons with a study made 33 years ago, where people had the opportunity to state the importance of various phenomena by means of a so-called budgeting method. The same technique was applied now.

Changes have taken place with regards to welfare factors in Helsinki.  Environmental issues have remained relatively stable; increasing from 13% to 15 % of the budget between 1972 and 2004. However, the share of the budget allocated to housing fell from 27% in 1972 to 14% in 2004. Job creation and social and health services now comprise the largest part of the budget.

The existence of a recycling station near respondents’ homes clearly increased their readiness to sort and recycle waste. Recycling is increasing but less than half the respondents currently do so, on a regular basis.

Differences between generations in terms of environmental attitudes remain even when the background factors such as gender and educational level have been eliminated. For example, 30-40 year olds show surprisingly low environmental awareness compared with both younger and older age groups. This difference increases with lower education, and is stronger among men than women. There appears to be a generation-specific common experience that has made the working age population such bad environmentalists.

The City of Helsinki Urban Facts
Mr Markku Lankinen (Senior Researcher), tel. +358 9 169 3111

01/09/2005

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Markku Lankinen

research

Urban Policy > Urban environment

Environmental sustainability