Differences in the environmental awareness of the Polish population

Abstract

Motives: A fundamental tenet of sustainable development (SD) posits that all human endeavors should prioritize ecological safety. This underscores the significance of the knowledge about the ways in which these activities manifest in social attitudes, as an indicator of environmental awareness (EA) levels. Given the relevance of environmental EA, this issue should be examined across diverse communities and social groups, such as urban and rural residents, to catalyze the adoption of SD principles. It is assumed that the concentration of the population and societal structures in urban centers stimulate the development of concepts and solutions that subsequently disseminate to rural areas through urbanization and modernization patterns. Consequently, the potential disparities in EA and pro-environmental behaviors should be analyzed based on community members’ place of residence and economic status. Aim: The objective of this study was to assess differences in EA levels within the Polish population in the context of SD principles, based on demographic and social characteristics, as well as the respondents’ place of residence. Results: The study revealed several connections between attitudes toward sustainability and pro- -environmental activities. The identified attitudes were associated with demographic, economic, and spatial factors. The results indicate that EA levels are relatively high among Polish residents, irrespective of spatial distribution. Furthermore, significantly higher levels of EA-related activities were noted among urban dwellers, particularly the young and well-educated. Interestingly, a similar trend was noted among the residents of suburban zones. In contrast, rural inhabitants exhibited lower levels of EA compared to their urban counterparts.