William’s findings suggest the need to theoretically distinguish between different types of public space in future literature. It also implies that urban planning policy cannot focus on space alone. Instead, policy must also tackle the factors contributing to low neighbourhood safety in order to ensure hard public space’s positive effects.
How does class influence individual nigeria rcs data perceptions of the environmental crisis and the undertaking of pro-environmental behaviours?
Elizabeth Livesey, BA Social Science (Sociology & Philosophy), University of Manchester.
Elizabeth’s project examined the claim that some socio-economic groups are excluded from environmentalism. Using data from Understanding Society, Wave 4, 2012-14, she was able to examine the relationships between social class, perceptions of the environmental crisis and environmental behaviours.
Controlling for other individual factors including education and political affiliation, Elizabeth found that environmental perspectives and behaviours do vary across social classes. In relation to everyday environmental activities those in routine occupations are less likely to report activity, but social class differences are modest in size. relation to environmental perspectives and consumptions choices, with those in routine occupations more likely to indicate that the ‘environmental crisis’ has been exaggerated and more likely to purchase pro-environmental options. The findings suggest that socio-economic class, although not forcing total exclusion, has a significant effect on resources and agency to adopt environmental attitudes and behaviours.