Environmental Ethics

Our environmental ethics survey aimed to gauge the interests of the public. We wished to see which issues people are passionate about, as well as if they are aware of the impacts their actions have on the Salish Sea.

“While the list of threats to the Salish Sea could go on for pages, the chief environmental threat is our unsustainable industrial culture which treats the Earth and her creatures with disrespect, and often treats the Salish Sea as a large sewer.”

— Dana Lyons

This question wanted to figure out one thing first—do people actually care? The responses revealed that a vast majority of the public are passionate about the environment.

 

How interested are you in protecting the Environment?

71.1% of responders said they were very interested in protecting the environment. 26.5% said they were a bit interested while only 2.4% said they were a bit uninterested.

This question aimed to understand which topics people care most about. When people care about something they are more likely to protect it. The following list of topics are not mutually exclusive and should be taken as interwoven links that people want to fight for.

 

What environmental concerns interest you?

5% of responders care most about ocean acidification while 12.5% are most passionate about sea level rise. 14% prioritize combatting deforestation and 7.5% want to promote sustainable agriculture. 33% of responders care most about C02 emissions with the remaining 28% focusing on loss of biodiversity.

This question directed responders’ environmental interests to the Salish Sea. If we don’t know how our actions alter the Salish Sea, how will we know how to change our style of living?

 

Do you know how your daily activities impact the Salish Sea?

57.8% of responders said they don't know how their activities change the Salish Sea, but they would like to know more. 36.1% said they partially understand while 3.6% said they fully understand. 2.4% were uninterested.