Assessing Perceptions and Practices of Environmental Problems: Bahir Dar City, in Ethiopia, in Focus

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to see the level of environmental perception and perceived environmental practices. It also addressed the correlations among demographic factors, awareness and perceived behaviors. Besides, how gender difference, if any, revealed on people’s perception and practice was checked. Fifty participants selected randomly from different working sites (such as football field, shopping centers, and public library) were administered a likert scale questionnaire on perceptions and practices of environmental issues. The descriptive statistics revealed fairly higher level of environmental perception and practices. Correlation coefficients revealed little sign of connection between what the participants perceived about environmental problems and what environmental activities they reported. Besides, insignificant differences between men and women were observed on both their perceptions and pro-environmental behaviors. Therefore, the role background and gender related variables play for pro-environmental issues seemed to be re-examined for a more elaborated explanation on environmental perception and behaviors.