Nature awareness study

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The nature awareness study is a representative population survey on awareness of nature, nature conservation and biological diversity in Germany. The survey is carried out at regular intervals on behalf of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety and the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation . So far, nature awareness studies have been published for 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019. In addition to a basic framework of constant questions, each study also deals with new topics that follow on from current discussions and nature conservation policy tasks.

The nature awareness studies are not to be confused with the publications of representative surveys on environmental or climate awareness that are carried out at regular intervals on behalf of the Federal Environment Agency (UBA). The term environmental awareness primarily refers to the knowledge and attitudes towards inanimate nature ( abiotic environmental factors ), such as B. Questions about CO 2 emissions or water purity. The term nature awareness, on the other hand, refers primarily to knowledge and attitudes towards living nature, such as B. animals, plants and habitats, as well as landscapes, wilderness areas etc. Nevertheless, there are intersections between the two terms, such as z. B. the area of ecosystem services .

Methodologically, around 2,000 adults aged 18 and over are questioned in each survey, who are representative of a wide range of sociodemographic groups (gender, age groups, occupation, income, education, etc.) and socio-cultural milieus (according to SINUS ).

background

The development and implementation of the studies, ie the continuous measurement of nature awareness in society, implements international and national reporting obligations of the federal government. In an international context, the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the associated initiative “Communication, Education, Public Awareness” (CBD-CEPA) are being pursued. Above all, Article 13 of the Biodiversity Convention , which provides information and awareness-raising for the conservation of biodiversity in the public, should be mentioned. On a national level, the federal government would like to meet the goals it has set itself for social awareness of nature and biodiversity in the National Strategy on Biological Diversity (NBS).

In addition, the biannual nature awareness studies provide current and empirically verified data which can be used for nature conservation policy, nature conservation communication, public discourse and education. The data records for the studies can be accessed and checked via the data archive for social sciences at the GESIS Leibniz Institute .

Findings of the 2019 study

Nature awareness 2019

The 2019 Nature Awareness Study was published on August 14, 2020. The main theme of the latest study are protected areas . In addition, the topics of species knowledge and digitization will be dealt with for the first time. The subject areas “Human-Nature Relationship”, “Social Awareness of Biodiversity”, “Attitudes to Genetic Engineering” and “Acceptance of the Energy Transition” from the previous studies will be continued and partially expanded.

The key messages about protected areas are:

  • "The majority of the population thinks protected areas are important in order to preserve nature for future generations (93 percent of those surveyed)."
  • "77 percent of those surveyed confirm that protected areas are an important part of their home."
  • "Information about protected areas is mainly wanted in traditional formats on site, that is, through guided tours (62 percent of those surveyed) or through information offers in the protected area (61 percent)." Those under 30, on the other hand, would like more information about Internet offers (62 percent, Average population: 46 percent) and digital offers such as apps or QR codes (50 percent, average population: 28 percent).

In the area of ​​the energy transition, a .:

  • “The approval of the energy transition in Germany is high and has been stable for years: 60 percent of the population are clearly in favor of it in 2019 (2017 and 2015: 61 percent each), only a minority of eight percent are against (2017 and 2015: seven percent each) ). "
  • "75 percent of the respondents are of the opinion that the energy transition is necessary to counter climate change."

Concerning agro-genetic engineering, concerns among the population have increased since the last study:

  • 95 percent demand that food from animals that have been fed genetically modified food be labeled. More and more people are "fully" in favor of mandatory labeling (2017: 69 percent, 2019: 79 percent).
  • "The concerns about the consumption of genetically modified food have also increased: Only 22 percent stated in 2019 with a clear positioning or at least in principle that they have no problem with it, in 2017 it was 31 percent."
  • New processes in genetic engineering, such as B. The gene scissors CRISPR / Cas met with skepticism: "88 percent of those questioned are of the opinion that the long-term consequences of these new procedures cannot yet be foreseen."

In the subject area "human-nature relationship" there are z. B. the following key statements:

  • “91 percent of Germans are clearly annoyed, or at least more likely, that many people are careless with nature. The number of those who are very outraged has increased significantly in the last two years: in 2017 it was 47 percent, in 2019 it was 63 percent. "
  • “The preference for“ wild ”nature has increased significantly since 2015. In 2019, a total of 75 percent of those surveyed agree. In 2015 the value was 54 percent. "

It also shows that the social indicator for awareness of biological diversity has risen significantly for the first time since the survey began in 2009:

“In 2019, 28 percent of the population had sufficient knowledge, consistent attitudes and sufficient willingness to act, compared to only 22 percent in 2009. Compared to the last survey, there are significant increases in the expressed willingness to act (2019: 63 percent; 2017: 56 percent) and attitude (2019: 60 percent; 2017: 54 percent) in the population average. It is particularly important to emphasize that the willingness to behave expressed by the under 30-year-olds increased significantly from 2017 (48 percent) to 2019 (65 percent). "

Previous studies

Nature awareness 2017

The 2017 Nature Awareness Study was published on July 6, 2018. It deals with five subject areas: Questions on marine nature conservation (e.g. "Which problems are assessed as the main problems?"), On the energy transition ("To what extent are landscape-related changes that they entail?"), On agrochemical technology (e.g. B. Consent to the use of genetically modified organisms in agriculture), to nature conservation on a regional and global level and to understanding and preserving biodiversity.

The key messages of the main theme of marine nature conservation are:

  •  "94 percent of those surveyed [support] nature reserves in the North and Baltic Seas, 53 percent even consider such areas to be very important."
  • “In addition, 83 percent of those questioned are in favor of stricter rules and laws so that fisheries do more for nature conservation, even if this increases fish prices. 92 percent of the respondents want to be able to rely on the fact that the trade does not offer fish products from threatened species, 90 percent support the labeling of fish products from nature-friendly fisheries. "
  • "Among the perceived causes of danger, plastic waste comes first, 78 percent see it as a" very big problem ". Oil pollution (71 percent) and radioactive waste (66 percent) follow closely. "

On the subject of agro-genetic engineering are u. a. the following results have been published:

  • “A large majority of the population in Germany takes a skeptical position when it comes to the use of genetic engineering in agriculture: 79 percent of those questioned are in favor of a ban on genetic engineering in agriculture. 93 percent are of the opinion that possible effects on nature should always be examined when plants are specifically genetically modified. "
  • "Likewise, 93 percent of those surveyed are in favor of labeling food from animals that are fed with genetically modified food."


Nature awareness 2015

The two main themes of the 2015 Nature Awareness Study are “Agricultural Landscapes” and “ Urban Nature ”. In addition, the population was repeatedly asked about "renewable energies and landscape" and the general attitude towards nature and nature conservation, as well as social awareness of biological diversity, were measured. Some important results are e.g. B .:

  • "83 percent of those questioned [in favor of] stricter rules and laws to protect nature in agriculture (45 percent" completely "/ 38 percent" rather "). 92 percent would like farmers to pay attention to the effects of their actions on nature. 93 percent call for animal welfare to be observed in food production. "

Or:

  • “94 percent of those surveyed are of the opinion that nature should be accessible in all parts of the city. The data show that low-income and elderly people use urban nature particularly frequently. "


Nature awareness 2013

The 2013 nature awareness study collected comprehensive data on nature awareness among the German population for the third time. The representative survey focused on the subjects of "wilderness", "nature-friendly consumption", " flood protection " and "attitudes towards biological diversity and its conservation".

Some important key messages of the study are, B .:

  • “Almost two thirds of Germans like nature all the better, the wilder it is. This is especially true for the forests. There is a strong desire to come into contact with the wilderness: four out of five people want the wilderness in Germany to be accessible to people. Most people are aware that such contact can only take place under certain conditions so that wilderness can continue to be preserved: only a minority of 11 percent are in favor of unhindered access, 68 percent are in favor of corresponding regulations. "
  • The study shows that national parks are valued by a large part of the population: “95 percent are of the opinion that they protect animals and plants. A large majority agrees that national parks create jobs, are a good fit for Germany and add value to the region. Only 21 percent see national parks as a risk to forestry and only 16 percent see them as a threat to agricultural use. "

Nature awareness 2011

The 2011 study takes up a large number of questions that deal with the topic of " social change ". What is meant is a change in society towards a more sustainable , natural and environmentally friendly way of life. In this context, the study also refers to the social transformation discourse, which is being increasingly communicated by the German government's scientific advisory board on global environmental change. Specifically, the study deals with the subject areas “Acceptance of landscape changes in the course of the energy transition”, “Interest in information on environmentally friendly consumption” and “Voluntary commitment to the protection of nature”.

Among other things, it shows (pp. 8–9) that

• "A large majority of respondents (86%) consider nature conservation to be an important political task and a human duty (95%)";

• "The possible consequences of the expansion of renewable energies for nature and the landscape, such as the construction of further wind parks at sea (87% approval) and on land (79%), the expansion of areas with photovoltaic systems outside of settlements (77%) or the intensified cultivation of energy crops (rapeseed: 67%, maize: 63%) can be accepted. 54% and 60% of those questioned are rather critical of the construction of high-voltage lines and the increased economic use of forests ”;

• “Above all, companies and industry (76% rate the effort as too little), but also federal and state governments (58 and 52%) and citizens (57%) (have to) show more commitment. The majority, 62% of those surveyed, stated that they saw themselves personally responsible for the protection of nature and were ready to make their own contributions, be it in consumer behavior or through voluntary commitment ”.


Nature awareness 2009

In 2009 the first nationwide representative survey on nature awareness was carried out. For the first time, comprehensive inquiries were made about what knowledge and what attitudes towards biodiversity are common among the population and how willing they are to contribute to maintaining biodiversity through their own commitment and behavior . In addition, the 2009 study investigated what images of nature exist in the population and what significance nature has in people's lives. Among other things, the following findings could be recorded:

  • “The study shows a high degree of closeness to nature: Germans love nature. Above all, beautiful, idyllic landscapes are spontaneously associated with this term. "

Or:

  • “A strong motive for protecting nature and biological diversity is responsibility towards future generations. The health and recreational functions of nature are also important [...] "

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ United Nations Conference on Environment and Development: Convention on Biological Diversity . In: International Legal Materials . tape 31 , no. 4 , July 1992, ISSN  0020-7829 , pp. 818-841 , doi : 10.1017 / S0020782900014728 ( cambridge.org [accessed July 30, 2020]).
  2. ↑ Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (Ed.) National Strategy for Biological Diversity. Berlin, 2007. Available at https://www.bmu.de/fileadmin/Daten_BMU/Pools/Broschueren/nationale_strategy_biologische_vielfalt_2015_bf.pdf
  3. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (Ed.): Nature Consciousness 2019 - Population Survey on Nature and Biodiversity. Berlin and Bonn, 2020.
  4. ↑ Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety and Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (ed.): Nature Consciousness 2017 - Population Survey on Nature and Biodiversity. Berlin and Bonn, 2018.
  5. ↑ a b c d e Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety and Federal Agency for Nature Conservation. (2018, July 6). Nature awareness study: Germans want better marine protection and no genetic plants [press release]. Retrieved from https://www.bfn.de/presse/pressearchiv/2018/detailseite.html?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=6401&cHash=7f05873e27f4e0adb97393bdbe687c83
  6. ↑ a b Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety and Federal Agency for Nature Conservation. (2016, April 24). Nature awareness study: Germans want stricter rules for agriculture [press release]. Retrieved from https://www.bfn.de/presse/pressearchiv/2016/detailseite.html?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=5778&cHash=b63fa67b15be10885ed560f32cfa3156
  7. ↑ a b Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety and Federal Agency for Nature Conservation. (2014, April 28). Nature awareness study: Germans like wilderness [press release]. Retrieved from https://www.bfn.de/presse/pressearchiv/2014/detailseite.html?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=4890&cHash=0b39ed2999efbbe406d7421fe1ec1f55
  8. ↑ a b c Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety and Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (ed.): Naturbewusstsein 2011 - Population survey on nature and biological diversity. Berlin and Bonn, 2012.
  9. ↑ a b Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety and Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (ed.): Naturbewusstsein 2009 - Population survey on nature and biological diversity. Berlin and Bonn, 2010.