Attitude toward biodiversity
In order for people to support measures for conserving biodiversity and adapt their own behaviour accordingly, it is crucial that they are aware that the insight that the decline in biodiversity represents a serious threat.
However, a positive attitude does not necessarily lead to the corresponding behaviour. When different behaviour is perceived as more advantageous – for example, cheaper, less time-consuming or more convenient – this can outweigh the desire to “conserve biodiversity”. Bad habits and social expectations can also hinder the corresponding behaviour.
good
positive
In 2023, 86% of the respondents were of the view that the loss of diversity of animal and plant species is dangerous or very dangerous for human beings and the environment. Hence the decline in biodiversity is considered as dangerous as climate change. Other environmental impacts like genetic technology, traffic and mobile phone antennae are perceived as posing less of a threat.
People who are aware of the problem of biodiversity loss tend to be more open to measures for its conservation. With greater awareness, people’s willingness to reconsider and adapt their behaviour should also increase. For this reason the status is assessed as positive. Nonetheless, a further increase in the number of people who are aware of the risk would be desirable. In view of this, the stabilisation that has set in during the past few years is regarded as unsatisfactory.
The data for the perceived threat are taken from the Federal Statistical Office’s survey “Wahrnehmung von Umweltqualität und Umweltverhalten” (“Perception of Environmental Quality and Environmental Behaviour”). The samples meet the criteria of representativity; participation is voluntary.
| Targeted trend | Initial value | Final value | Variation in % | Observed trend | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Growth | 2011 | 2023 | 6.17% | Growth | positive |
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